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:

• Glass cockpit Primary Flight Display (PFD) failures, though rare with high Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), are possible due to various issues like electrical problems, aging hardware, or component glitches, leading to serious consequences.
• Many glass cockpit systems in piston airplanes lack full redundancy for critical air data and attitude/heading reference systems, making reliance on reversionary modes or traditional backup instruments essential during a PFD failure.
• Pilots must receive and maintain significant, recent partial-panel training to competently handle PFD failures, ensuring proficiency in using backup instrumentation and following emergency procedures for a safe landing.

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