A Boeing 777 glass cockpit.

A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays. A relatively recent development, glass cockpits are highly sought-after upgrades from traditional cockpits. Where a traditional cockpit relies on numerous mechanical gauges to display information, a glass cockpit utilizes a few computer-controlled displays that can be adjusted to display flight information as needed. This simplifies the cockpit enormously and allows pilots to focus only on the most pertinent information. They are also highly popular with airline companies as they usually eliminate the need to employ a flight engineer. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 799 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1200 × 901 pixel, file size: 351 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Boeing 777 Metadata... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 799 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1200 × 901 pixel, file size: 351 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Boeing 777 Metadata... The Boeing 777 is an American long-range wide-body twin-engined airliner built by Boeings Commercial Airplanes division. ... Look up aircraft in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Cockpit of a light aircraft, showing instrumentation dials and dual control yokes. ... Nixie tubes, LED-display and VF-display A display device, also known as an information display is a device for visual or tactile presentation of images (including text) acquired, stored, or transmitted in various forms. ... The NASA Columbia Supercomputer. ... For other uses, see Aviator (disambiguation). ... In aviation, a flight engineer (also referred to as systems operator ) is a member of the aircrew of an aircraft who is responsible for checking the aircraft before and after each flight, and for monitoring aircraft systems during flight. ...

Description

The primary component of the glass cockpit, the primary flight display or EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System), displays all information regarding the aircraft's situation, position and progress. It primarily covers horizontal and vertical position, but also indicates time and speed. The second part of the glass cockpit displays the aircraft's systems conditions and engines performance. This is variously called EICAS (Engine Indications and Crew Alerting System) or ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor). All this information is graphically presented in a 'need-to-know' basis, however the pilot may query the system for further details of interest. A primary flight display is a modern aircraft instrument dedicated to flight information. ... An Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is a type of electronic display (usually a CRT or LCD) fitted to the cockpit of an aircraft in order to display flight information. ... A pocket watch, a device used to tell time Look up time in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) is an integrated system used in modern aircraft to provide aircraft crew with aircraft engines and other systems instrumentation and crew annunciations. ... First introduced by Airbus in the A320, ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) is a system that monitors aircraft functions and relays them to the pilots. ... Government organizations, especially those related to defence and intelligence, often deal with information which is considered very sensitive. ...

Early glass cockpits, found in the Boeing 737-400, 757 and 767, and in the Airbus A300-600 and A310, used EFIS to display attitude and navigational information only, with traditional mechanical gauges retained for airspeed, altitude and vertical speed. Later glass cockpits, found in the Boeing 747-400 and 777, and in the A320 and later Airbuses, have replaced completely the numerous mechanical gauges and warning lights present in previous generation aircraft. The Boeing 737 is the worlds most popular short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body airliner. ... The Boeing 757 is an American short to medium haul commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. ... American Airlines Boeing 767-300 at Gatwick Airport, England. ... The Airbus A300 is a short to medium range widebody aircraft. ... The Airbus A310 is a medium to long-range widebody airliner manufactured by Airbus S.A.S. It was Airbus second model to be introduced, and is a shortened derivative of the A300. ... The Boeing 747, commonly nicknamed the Jumbo Jet, is a long-haul, widebody commercial airliner manufactured by Boeing. ... The Boeing 777 is an American long-range wide-body twin-engined airliner built by Boeings Commercial Airplanes division. ... The Airbus A320 is a short-to-medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ...

History

Cockpit of an Antonov An-24 without electronic displays

Prior to the 1970s, air transport operations were not considered sufficiently demanding to require advanced equipment like electronic flight displays. Also, computer technology was not at a level where sufficiently light and powerful circuits were available. The increasing complexity of transport aircraft, the advent of digital systems and the growing air traffic congestion around airports began to change that. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 667 pixel, file size: 210 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Cockpit of an Antonov An-24 turboprop transport during flight author: Elke Wetzig (Elya) Date: 21-05-2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 667 pixel, file size: 210 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Cockpit of an Antonov An-24 turboprop transport during flight author: Elke Wetzig (Elya) Date: 21-05-2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current... The Antonov An-24 is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport manufactured in USSR (now Ukraine) by the Antonov Design Bureau. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The average transport aircraft in the mid-1970s had more than 100 cockpit instruments and controls, and the primary flight instruments were already crowded with indicators, crossbars, and symbols. In other words, the growing number of cockpit elements were competing for cockpit space and pilot attention. As a result, NASA did research on displays that could process the raw aircraft system and flight data into an integrated, easily understood picture of the aircraft flight situation, culminating in a series of demonstration flights to demonstrate a full glass cockpit system. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States federal government, responsible for the nations public space program. ...

The success of the NASA-led glass cockpit work is reflected in the total acceptance of electronic flight displays beginning with the introduction of the Boeing 767 in 1982. Airlines and their passengers alike have benefited. The safety and efficiency of flights have been increased with improved pilot understanding of the airplane's situation relative to its environment. American Airlines Boeing 767-300 at Gatwick Airport, England. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1982: Events January January 8 - the Airbus A300 is certified, becoming the first wide body airliner with cockpit accommodations for only two to be certified. ...

By the end of the 1990s, LCD display panels were increasingly favored among aircraft manufacturers because of their efficiency, reliability and legibility. Earlier LCD display panels suffered from poor legibility at some viewing angles and poor response times, making them unsuitable for aviation uses. Modern aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 are fitted with LCD glass cockpits. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... LCD redirects here. ... The Boeing 777 is an American long-range wide-body twin-engined airliner built by Boeings Commercial Airplanes division. ... The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American mid-sized, wide-body, twin engine jet airliner currently in production by Boeings Commercial Airplanes division and scheduled to enter service in May 2008. ... The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, four-engined airliner manufactured by EADS (Airbus S.A.S.). It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. ...

During STS-101, Space Shuttle Atlantis was the first Shuttle to fly with a glass cockpit.

Since then, the glass cockpit has become standard equipment in airliners, business jets, and military aircraft, and was even fitted into NASA's Space Shuttle orbiters Atlantis, Columbia, Discovery, and Endeavour, and the current Russian Soyuz TMA model spacecraft that was launched in 2002. By the end of the century glass cockpits began appearing in general aviation aircraft as well. By 2005, even basic trainers like the Piper Cherokee and Cessna 172 were shipping with glass cockpits as options (which nearly all customers chose), and many modern aircraft such as the Diamond Aircraft twin-engine travel and training aircraft DA42 are only available with glass cockpit. Image File history File links STSCPanel. ... Image File history File links STSCPanel. ... This is a mission of the United States Space Shuttle // Crew James D. Halsell, Jr. ... For the current mission, see STS-117 Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... An Airbus A340 airliner operated by Air Jamaica An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft with the primary function of transporting paying passengers. ... For the current Space Shuttle mission, see STS-117 NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... For the current mission, see STS-117 Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of three remaining spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with Atlantis and Endeavour. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... Soyuz (Russian: Союз, pronounced sah-YOUS, meaning union) is a series of spacecraft designed by Sergey Korolyov for the Soviet Unions space program. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... General aviation (abbr. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2005: // Events January January 29 - Nonstop flights between mainland China and Taiwan take off for the first time since 1949. ... Piper PA-28 Cherokee 180E Cherokee is the common name for the Pipers PA-28 family of aircraft models, which received its type certificate from the FAA in 1960 and is still under production by Piper Aircraft. ... Cessna 172RG Cessna 172 instrument panel 1964 Cessna 172E 1965 Cessna F172G 1971 Cessna 172 The early Cessna 172 Skyhawks had no rear window and featured a square fin design, like this 1957 model 1977 Cessna 172M Cessna 172R Panel of C-GLFC The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four... Diamond DA40-TDI Diamond Star Diamond Aircraft Industries is an Austrian based manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, and motor gliders. ...

Future developments

Unlike the previous era of glass cockpits—where designers merely copied the look and feel of conventional electromechanical instruments onto cathode ray tubes—the new displays represent a true departure. They look and behave a lot like computers with windows and data that can be manipulated with point-and-click devices. And they add terrain, approach charts, weather, vertical displays, and 3D navigation images.

The improved concepts enables aircraft makers to customize cockpits to a greater degree than previously. And all of the manufacturers involved have chosen to do so in one way or another—such as using a trackball, thumb pad or joystick as a pilot-input device in a computer-style environment. Many of the modifications offered by the aircraft manufacturers improve situational awareness and customize the man-machine interface to enhance safety. Logitech TrackMan A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball housed in a socket containing sensors to detect rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down mouse with an exposed protruding ball. ... Joystick elements: 1. ...

As aircraft displays have modernized, the sensors that feed them have modernized as well. Traditional gyroscopic flight instruments have been replaced by Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) and Air Data Computers (ADCs), improving reliability and reducing cost and maintenance. GPS receivers are frequently integrated into glass cockpits. A gyroscope For other uses, see Gyroscope (disambiguation). ... Six basic instruments in a light twin-engine airplane arranged in the basic-T. From top left: airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, turn coordinator, heading indicator, and vertical speed indicator Most aircraft are equipped with a standard set of flight instruments which give the pilot information about the aircrafts... Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) are 3-axis sensors that provide heading, attitude and yaw information for aircraft. ... An air data computer is an essential avionics component found in modern glass cockpits. ... Over fifty GPS satellites such as this NAVSTAR have been launched since 1978. ...

All new airliners such as the Airbus A380, the Boeing 787 and private jets such as Dassault Falcon 900 and Eclipse 500 use glass cockpits. Certain general aviation aircraft, such as the 4-seat Diamond Aircraft DA40, DA42 and DA50 and the 4-seat Cirrus Design SR20 and SR22, are available only with glass cockpits. Systems such as the Garmin G1000 are now available on many new GA aircraft, including the classic Cessna 172. The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, four-engined airliner manufactured by EADS (Airbus S.A.S.). It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. ... The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American mid-sized, wide-body, twin engine jet airliner currently in production by Boeings Commercial Airplanes division and scheduled to enter service in May 2008. ... Dassault Falcon 900 takes off. ... Eclipse 500 VLJ. Note the straight wing design with small wingtip fuel tanks The Eclipse 500 is a small, six seat business jet aircraft manufactured by Eclipse Aviation. ... General aviation (abbr. ... Diamond DA40-TDI Diamond Star Diamond Aircraft Industries is an Austrian based manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, and motor gliders. ... 2003 Cirrus SR22 The Cirrus Design Corporation is an aircraft manufacturer founded in 1984 by Alan and Dale Klapmeier. ... The Garmin G1000 is an integrated cockpit manufactured by Garmin typically composed of two display units, one serving as a primary flight display, and one as a multi-function display. ... Cessna 172RG Cessna 172 instrument panel 1964 Cessna 172E 1965 Cessna F172G 1971 Cessna 172 The early Cessna 172 Skyhawks had no rear window and featured a square fin design, like this 1957 model 1977 Cessna 172M Cessna 172R Panel of C-GLFC The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four...

Glass cockpits are also very popular as a retrofit for older, private jets such as Dassault Falcons, Raytheon Hawkers, Bombardier Challengers Cessna Citations, Gulfstreams, King Airs, Learjets, Astras and many others. Aviation service companies work closely with equipment manufacturers to address the needs of the owners of these aircraft. Gulfstream G200 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of private jets. ...

References

See also

• Head-Up Display
• Cockpit display system