Advanced Avionics Errors

Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 12:14 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots frequently make errors due to insufficient mode awareness, such as selecting incorrect navigation sources or failing to engage critical autopilot functions like approach or altitude hold.
Overreliance on advanced avionics, including moving maps and flight directors, can lead to diminished situational awareness and the erosion of fundamental piloting skills, taking pilots "out of the loop."
Effective and safe use of advanced systems requires pilots to understand their underlying functions and behaviors rather than simply memorizing procedures, enabling adaptation to unexpected situations.
Thorough pre-flight preparation, including comprehensive weather and approach briefings, is essential to prevent critical oversights and ensure flight safety.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The FAA and NASA have identified errors commonly made by pilots using advanced avionics. Each of the errors discussed below were unearthed during research in which pilots and flight instructors took part. If we can exorcise these mistakes, our advanced avionics can deliver on their promises of increased safety and utility. Let’s walk through these errors one by one.

Wrong Navigation Source

Center advises you are left of course, but the HSI is centered. Oh, that little NAV source annunciator says you’re on GPS 2 when you thought you were on GPS 1. Set to GPS 2, the autopilot corrects. You resolve to pay that small indicator more attention.