As an avionics guy, Im often asked if I would rather deal with total avionics failure in an all-glass or round-gauge aircraft. My preference is all-glass because total failure is pretty unlikely. And even if it did happen, the situation shouldnt be debilitating. With dual batteries, dual electrical systems, standby instruments and a portable GPS, theres little reason why you couldnt put down safely. But for an older retrofit panel, the risks are elevated. 288
Avionics Gone Wild
As an avionics guy, Im often asked if I would rather deal with total avionics failure in an all-glass or round-gauge aircraft. My preference is all-glass because total failure is pretty unlikely. And even if it did happen, the situation shouldnt be debilitating. With dual batteries, dual electrical systems, standby instruments and a portable GPS, theres little reason why you couldnt put down safely. But for an older retrofit panel, the risks are elevated. You dont have to be an avionics tech to understand what makes your panel tick, but you do need to know what can make it a ticking time bomb. Perhaps you pushed the wrong button sequence for an autopilot-coupled approach, or maybe an encounter with ice has turned your Aspen PFD into an expensive tic-tac-toe game.
Key Takeaways:
- Modern glass cockpits, while offering redundancies, demand pilots thoroughly understand complex operational logic, button sequences, and system interactions to prevent errors.
- Pilots must be highly proficient in recognizing subtle avionics failures and their implications, as complex systems can mask issues more easily than traditional gauges.
- Crucial for safety are knowing your aircraft's specific avionics wiring, backup system behaviors (e.g., power, communication, autopilot), and regularly practicing emergency procedures.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
