General Glass Cockpits (G5, Dynon, etc)

Advantages of Glass Cockpits:

1. Improved Situational Awareness:
   • Integrates flight, navigation, and engine data on a single screen or set of displays.
   • Features such as synthetic vision, terrain alerts, and traffic overlays enhance safety.
2. Redundancy:
   • Many systems have built-in backup power, sensors, and reversionary modes.
   • Glass displays reduce reliance on mechanical components that can wear out.
3. Customization:
   • User-configurable layouts allow pilots to display preferred data sets (e.g., flight paths, weather, or engine monitoring).
4. Automation:
   • Integration with autopilots for advanced control and reduced workload.
5. Data Logging:
   • Many systems log flight data, aiding post-flight analysis and troubleshooting.

System-Specific Features:

Garmin G5:

• Compact, standalone electronic flight instrument.
• Replaces attitude and/or heading indicators (ADI/HSI).
• Key Capabilities:
  • Attitude, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, and slip/skid data.
  • Interfaces with GPS and autopilots like Garmin GFC 500.
  • Battery backup for up to 4 hours.

Key Points to Know for Oral Exams:

1. Power and Backup Systems:
   • Understand backup power sources and their duration.
   • Be prepared to discuss what happens if a screen or the entire system fails.
2. Data Integration:
   • How these systems integrate GPS, ADS-B, autopilots, and traditional navigation systems (e.g., VOR, ILS).
3. Failure Modes:
   • How to manage a display failure (e.g., switch to reversionary mode or rely on backup instruments).
4. Compatibility:
   • Know which systems can integrate with your aircraft’s autopilot, engine monitors, or other avionics.
5. Human Factors:
   • While reducing workload, glass cockpits can increase reliance on automation. Be ready to discuss how to maintain manual flying skills and situational awareness.
6. Components:
   • Be ready to discuss system components, like “Do you need to set the DG on your G5, or where does it get its heading information from?”
7. Updates and Maintenance:
   • Database updates (navigation, terrain, obstacles).
   • How do you know if your database is up to date and legal?
8. Best advice, read the “FMS” for your avionics installed (flight manual supplement).  This is a document or booklet legally required to be carried on board the aircraft so any pilot would know how to work the system.  Many flight schools will install G5’s in an aircraft, and incorrectly place the FMS in the MX log records in the hangar, when infact it is illegal to fly the plane at all without it onboard, just the same as your POH.