While glass cockpits were once an exciting new technology proposing to revolutionize the aircraft flight deck, glass avionics now are a staple that are even retrofitted into older aircraft as an emerging standard. Unlike the more conventional analog cockpit avionics, gauges, and systems that have long served aircraft for many years, advanced cockpit and canopy configurations have introduced computers, keyboards, and digital displays that have radically changed how a pilot may receive and manage flight systems and data. As there are still a number of aircraft that are obtainable with an analog cockpit, understanding the differences between the two can help one make a decision for which they would like to fly with.
The analog cockpit is a design that has long served aviation since its early days, and such configurations consist of a number of indicators,
gauges, instruments, and electromechanical controls. With the complexity of some systems, many flights once required an engineer and two pilots to operate all controls. Analog systems also often require much of the space of the cockpit and canopy, competing over each other for the pilot’s attention as they manage the aircraft throughout a flight. While very reliable in some regards due to operations being based on mechanical systems, gyroscopes, aneroids, and other components, the complexity could be considered a drawback.
After decades of research and development, the frame assembly glass cockpit and its electronic flight instrument systems began to be implemented within commercial aircraft during the late 1990s and general aviation aircraft in the 2000s. Unlike the conventional cockpit avionics and systems of analogue setups, glass cockpits introduced the digital primary flight display which consolidated the main set of flight instruments, a multifunction display featuring moving maps and weather, and other more advanced parts. With the introduction of such systems, more flexibility and ease of use was achieved for the benefit of flight.
As compared to analog cockpit assemblies, the
glass cockpit provides most important information on a single screen, allowing for pilots to reduce the amount of scanning required for reading measurements. Nevertheless, training is required for understanding the controls and functionality of systems, and there is a lack of standardization across manufacturer equipment. As a result, pilots must learn each system if multiple aircraft are flown. The fewer amount of mechanical parts in a glass cockpit also means that there is less need for regular maintenance and overhaul, making such systems very reliable. Glass cockpit systems do require backup instruments for redundancy, however, and are dependent on electrical power for operations.
Due to the addition of electronic displays, computerized systems, and enhanced controls, glass cockpits permit much more flexibility as displays may be customizable in their configuration. Additionally, engine performance displays can also be integrated for more ease of monitoring systems and conditions. With analogue systems, on the other hand, each instrument is limited to a single function for which it was designed. With customization and consolidation also comes visibility, ensuring that a pilot has little trouble accessing the information they need, avoiding the distance and parallax issues that often occur with round dials.
Beyond such examples, there are also differences in the ability to set alerts, utilize newer connectivity features, and much more. While glass cockpits are more advanced and may bring various forms of enhanced capabilities to the aircraft, they tend to be more expensive initially. As a result, the choice between the two will often come down to a pilot’s familiarity with systems or their willingness to learn, their financial abilities, and requirements. When it comes time to begin sourcing the analog or glass
cockpit parts and components that you require for your operations, there is no better alternative to Jet Parts 360.
Jet Parts 360 is a trusted distributor of aircraft parts and other aerospace components, offering customers competitive quotes for every aviation product for their comparisons. We invite you to peruse our massive part catalogs at your leisure, and our team of industry experts are always on standby 24/7x365 to assist you through the purchasing process as necessary. Give our team members a call or email today and see how we can help you fulfill all your operational requirements quickly and easily.
