Challenges for Teaching the General Aviation Pilot in Glass Cockpit Technologies

Cirrus Design Inc. created the first general aviation dual LCD “glass” cockpit aircraft. Due to the multifunctional and compact displays, other manufacturers followed close behind. These multipurpose visual displays now offer the pilot weather radar amongst other options, as standard equipment. However, the pilot is faced with layers of additional information to process in limited time and space. It is essential that modern training programs expose pilots to technological innovations such as flight simulators, visualization programs, and interactive learning assignments to enable them to effectively use these displays. Future innovations may even provide the pilot with simulations of predicted future weather on board the aircraft. This paper brings focus on a variety of weather graphics and simulations that aid in modern pilot education.