Something has been gnawing at me in aviation, which may spell trouble for relatively low time commercial pilots. Chances are today aviators who are training to become a professional pilots are doing so in one of the current generation of trainers. This means that they are probably using a modern EFIS equipped Cessna G-1000 or Cirrus Avidyne aircraft as a primary trainer. Continuing on toward the Instrument rating, pilots are fully integrated and comfortable with utilizing all of the capabilities of these truly remarkable pieces of avionics.

Trouble is, that while today’s pilots are trained in these thoroughly modern avionics suites, they are then thrust into the world of down and dirty entry level freight and Part 135 position flying old Cessna and Piper light twins. These aircraft, while capable, are equipped with the pre-1960’s technology of the “six pack” and analog instrumentation.

It is probably safe to say that by almost all accounts, the transition from analog instrumentation to modern EFIS equipped cockpits is not difficult, the same cannot be said the other way around. Scans must be developed and perfected in a way that takes much longer to achieve. This is due to the way the information is presented and the physical distance that the eye much travel. For a low time pilot who is in their first 100 hours or so, it could spell trouble.

EFIS was designed specifically to rectify the flaws that occur in flying with the previous generation of analog instrumentation. Studies of the scanning of the primary and secondary instruments were carefully researched and used to design the Primary Flight Display (PFD) which is now standard in all airliners and now being incorporated into more and more GA aircraft.

I hope that this will be identified as a hazard and that additional training may be incorporated prior to these pilots flying the line.

As one who successfully transitioned from steam gauges to flat panels, it was indeed interesting at first. During my initial Piper Meridian training with its Avidyne Entegra three panel display, I'll admit that I used the old-fashioned stand-by gauges to perform nearly all of the maneuvering work. Its second nature now, but I cannot imagine doing the reverse transition.

That six-pack scan does require training and discipline. Far less room for tunnel vision during hard IMC...

I can certainly appreciate the problems involved in transitioning from round dials to flat panels - and it is undoubedly more complex to go from flat panels to round dials. But, can you imagine someone entering the airline business as an A-320 First Officer and then after 6 or 7 years of experience, moving to the Left Seat in a B-737 - even if that B-737 is an NG will full glass?

EFIS killing pilots? As a frequent passenger I'm all for EFIS. I remember seeing a nice stat showing NGs having fewer controlled flights into ground, which to my understanding was the #1 human related accident cause.

But as said I do my flying with my laptop in front of me - which may disqualify my contribution to this thread.