When Glass Goes Dark

Among the first things pilots learn is what to do if something goes wrong. Instrument pilots get to learn what to do when instruments or the systems powering them fail and how to get back on the ground with what’s left. Back in the days when each instrument was a separate, physical thing instead of a software construct presenting symbols or alphanumeric data, their presentation was relatively well known and predictable. These days, however, those same instruments often have been replaced with what is essentially a computer screen. What happens when it fails?

Key Takeaways:

• While glass cockpit Primary Flight Display (PFD) failures are rare with high Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), their likelihood may increase as avionics hardware ages, making preparedness essential.
• Pilots must be ready for various failure modes, including partial ("red-X") scenarios requiring reversion to other displays or total electrical failure necessitating reliance on traditional backup instruments.
• Proficiency in partial-panel flying is critical for all pilots, regardless of initial training, and requires consistent, recent practice to effectively utilize backup instrumentation and procedures during a PFD outage.
• Emergency action plans for PFD failures involve focusing on stable flight, activating backup systems, following Pilot's Operating Handbook procedures, shedding electrical load if necessary, and landing at the first suitable airport.

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