Benefits Of Aircraft EFIS Systems

Older planes had basic controls and electromechanical displays. These were able to get the job done but they were severely limited in their capabilities. Improvements had to be made to increase safety and efficiency. Air travel has become an important means to get around after all. Over the years, technology has progressed by leaps and bounds. The aviation industry surely benefited from several innovations.

Modern aircraft EFIS systems, for example, make life easier for the pilots while reducing the risk for passengers. With an electronic flight instrument system, the flight deck is filled with vivid displays for vital data. There are at least three types including the primary display, the multi-function display, and the alert system. As with most computers, these have switched from the old cathode ray tubes to LCDs for space reduction. These systems provide the following benefits:

Versatility

The EFIS makes it possible to transcend the physical limitations of electromechanical displays. For example, it would be easy for pilots to superimpose data from the weather radar to their planned route. This makes it easier for them to adjust, if necessary, and ensure that everyone gets to the destination safely. They can also do the same thing for different types of informative graphics such as the course deviation and the like. With traditional systems, each display would only be capable of only one function.

Upgradability

These systems are also quite flexible, and this is crucial given the constant changes in aircraft regulations. Every incident gets investigated and the findings often result in restrictions or impositions. For example, if a problematic component is found in the display system, then it might be removed or tweaked. If there are information that could have prevented a certain accident, then it might be required for all aircrafts within a prescribed timeframe. Taking out a whole system just to squeeze a new function can be expensive. With the EFIS, software updates can take care of most issues.

Redundancy

With as many as three screens in the flight deck, pilots can be confident that they can use the system no matter what happens. It does not matter if one of the displays fail as they can readily switch to the other ones in a snap. They can navigate with the help of the system and remain within the prescribed parameters.

Aircraft EFIS systems have become essential in modern aviation because of their undeniable utility.