At my day job flying airliners I get a lot of idle time for my brain. To avoid the clich of that becoming the devil’s workshop, I try to occupy myself with deep thought. I’m not often successful, but on a recent rather long leg, I was. I’d just reviewed the sensor data for our single FMS and my mind began to look critically at our on-board equipment compared to what we see in general aviation, specifically the whole concept of “dual” installations of identical equipment.
Why Two?
Key Takeaways:
- The "dual" avionics mindset in general aviation originated from practical necessities like identifying VOR fixes and ensuring communication redundancy with older technology.
- Early integrated GPS units (Garmin GNS series) often led to dual installations that were not always optimally functional, sometimes being less efficient than a single navigator combined with a dedicated MFD.
- Modern, advanced integrated avionics (Garmin GTN series) have made dual installations highly advantageous again, offering superior redundancy, comprehensive MFD capabilities, and efficient use of panel space.
- Ultimately, with the advent of EFIS MFDs, the author questions the need for extensive dual setups, suggesting that one advanced MFD/GPS/NAV/COM paired with a separate NAV/COM might provide ample functionality.
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