Big Jet Mode Control Panel Design V Garmin

[nomorecatering]

Heavy aircraft for a long time have had a center eye height mode control panel/flight guidance panel. More and more avionics designs are implementing the same philosophy of having the most often used autoflight controls mounted high up in the field of vision of both pilots. Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream, Bombardier, all have numerical displays of the value set. eg, you set 3000 feet an both pilots can look at the centre numerical display to verify the correct number is set.

Garmin, who is pushing ever upwards does not follow this philosophy, so a value set is only reflected in each pilots PFD.

My question is, does the Boeing/airbus style make it easier to verify the numbers as opposed to looking for it on the PFD.

Should Garmin address this? Would it require a major/costly redesign of the MCP that they currently use.

[ACMS]

Actually it’s taught by both Boeing and Airbus to look at the PFD modes to verify what is active/armed and NOT at the FCU/MCP panel.......

[Capn Bloggs]

Arrh, yes. AS Smuffy would say: the MCP is the "rumour panel". The PFD/FMA is the "truth panel".

[Tee Emm]

Garmin, who is pushing ever upwards does not follow this philosophy

Another thing. Some Garmin PFD do not have a Sky Pointer. Instead they have a ground pointer or similar arrow. All transport jet airliners have a Sky Pointer PFD. Indeed this Sky pointer is very much a vital item for unusual attitude recoveries. e.g. Turn the shortest direction towards the Sky Pointer to get wings level during recovery from UA. In the simulator we often see pilots who have just come off Garmin EFIS presentations getting quickly disorientated during UA recoveries because of Sky/Ground pointer indications. Garmin need to get their act in order and install a Sky Pointer presentation.

[aterpster]

Originally Posted by Tee Emm

Another thing. Some Garmin PFD do not have a Sky Pointer. Instead they have a ground pointer or similar arrow. All transport jet airliners have a Sky Pointer PFD. Indeed this Sky pointer is very much a vital item for unusual attitude recoveries. e.g. Turn the shortest direction towards the Sky Pointer to get wings level during recovery from UA. In the simulator we often see pilots who have just come off Garmin EFIS presentations getting quickly disorientated during UA recoveries because of Sky/Ground pointer indications. Garmin need to get their act in order and install a Sky Pointer presentation.

All transport jets are certified under Part 25. The Garmin G-5000 is the only Part 25 certified FMS suite. It has a sky pointer as shown:

[FlightDetent]

Originally Posted by ACMS

Actually it’s taught by both Boeing and Airbus to look at the PFD modes to verify what is active/armed and NOT at the FCU/MCP panel.......

Agreed. If only the FCU/MCP had no display windows and no visual feedback on the push-buttons!

[Alpine Flyer]

Flight guidance control panels on the CRJ, Dash 8 and Embraer do not have displays. Looking on the PFD to check settings is probably cheaper to build and works as well.