Going Glass? Here’s What You Need to Know

While glass cockpits would seem to increase safety, CFI Michael Wildes says pilots have to do their part, too.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 12:16 AM ET

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While new technology has the potential to make things safer, Michael Wildes says pilots have to do their part, too. Garmin

Key Takeaways:

Worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales exceeded $1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2021, with over half coming from retrofits, enabling the extended use of aging aircraft.
Despite the potential for improved safety, early studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that glass cockpits did not initially reduce accident rates and even showed higher fatal accident rates due to pilots struggling with the new technology.
The success of companies like Cirrus in reducing accident rates through mandatory pilot training programs demonstrates the critical role of proper instruction in adapting to advanced avionics.
Pilots are responsible for mastering complex glass cockpit systems through dedicated practice, including understanding failure modes and backup procedures, to truly harness the safety benefits of modern avionics.

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Last week, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) unveiled its third-quarter 2021 Avionics Market Report, pointing out that in the first nine months of the year, worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales totaled more than $1.7 billion.

The report explained that 53.7 percent of those avionics sales came from retrofits and 46.3 percent from forward fits. Avionics relate to the electronic systems used on aircraft and include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to perform individual functions.