Comments on: Analog Flying

By: Adrian Ryan

Adrian Ryan — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 12:38:12 +0000

Absolutely! When I was a student, many years ago, we did a number of experiments to determine the optimum way of presenting information and we found that white figures/needles on a black background worked best. Moreover, we found that, as you state, you remember the position, the picture, not the reading. I have flown a glass cockpit, and I found that the use of strip displays for altitude, speed, etc terribly difficult to interpret, whereas with the old analog instruments the ‘picture’ gave you all the information at a glance, there was no ‘picture’ with the strip gauges, you had to read the numbers and then translate that into what the current state was. So, if I could have a glass cockpit and have the data displayed as analog instruments, I would be happy.

By: Analog Flying | Abbotsford Flying Club

Analog Flying | Abbotsford Flying Club — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 19:46:31 +0000

[…] Analog Flying […]

By: Less noise in the cockpit | Land and Hold Short

Less noise in the cockpit | Land and Hold Short — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:29:54 +0000

[…] Eight years ago, as a fairly new pilot, I posted about something similar for the instrument scan in Analog Flying. I strongly suspect that’s the best article — and possibly the only truly useful one — […]

By: David Megginson

David Megginson — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:41:37 +0000

Mark: thank you so much for spotting that. The images must have gotten lost when I moved the blog over from my own server to WordPress.com, but I’ve restored them now.

By: Mark Thibault

Mark Thibault — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:47:02 +0000

I remember pictures in this blog entry. Were they removed for some reason?

By: Land and Hold Short » Cirrus SR22 demo flight: initial impressions

Land and Hold Short » Cirrus SR22 demo flight: initial impressions — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 02:47:11 +0000

[…] I missed the analog altimeter and gyro compass (there was a backup altimeter at the bottom), but I got used to the tape display fast enough. […]

By: Dan Larson

Dan Larson — Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:09:45 +0000

I started using this technique on my last couple flights and I have to say that it is quite valuable. In fact, I don’t know why my instructor never mentioned it. I’m trying to train myself to take quick glances for needle position and make the adjustments more frequently. I’d love to get to where I do this subconsciously. This quick evaluation can only take place if you reduce the amount of information you have to process. That s why the needle position is useful…don’t even focus on the numbers. Thanks a lot for the tip! – Dan Larson, Private Pilot Instrument, Jeffco Aiport – Colorado

By: Aviatrix

Aviatrix — Fri, 20 May 2005 20:23:36 +0000

Two words: Flight director.

By: Jared

Jared — Fri, 20 May 2005 19:20:10 +0000

I’ll second your ideas… I work in technology and so I’ve seen both bad and good interfaces. Whenever you have to read and interpret something it’s going to take more brain cycles than if you can just look at it and recognize a problem. This could be by the use of color.. shape.. or other spacial relationship that can be understood simply by looking at it. Also.. the less cluttered the better.

I have not used a glass cockpit either… but I know one thing I would look for is a way to turn off labels for things. As you learn the positions and readouts you should be able to declutter the screen by turning off any unneeded text. Then if something is abnormal.. the change would be more apparent.