Molly Ayala
An electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) is a flight deck instrument display system that displays flight data electronically instead of electromechanically. EFIS consists of a primary flight display (PFD), a multi-function display (MFD), and an engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) display. EFIS improves display clarity by removing superfluous indications, such as the glide slope scale when not in use, and only displays parameters that exceed their limits. EFIS also colour-codes data, for example, a blue caption indicates the glide slope is armed, and it may change to green when captured. EFIS reduces the workload of pilots by providing all the required information on a single instrument.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Display technology | Electronic rather than electromechanical |
| Display units | Primary Flight Display (PFD), Multi-function Display (MFD), Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) display |
| Display type | Cathode-ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal display (LCD) |
| Features | Leads to the term "glass cockpit" |
| Display monitoring | Detect failures within the instrument system |
| Color-coding | Indicates changes in condition, e.g., blue for glide slope armed, green for glide slope capture, green needles for ground-based navigation, magenta needles for GPS navigation |
| Input validation | Verify that each sensor is providing valid data |
| Data comparison | Cross-check inputs from duplicated sensors |
| Flight director | Provides lateral and vertical guidance, reducing pilot workload |
| Primary Flight Display (PFD) | Integrates and depicts all information on a single display, typically placed centrally |
| Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) | Replaces conventional instruments, depicts information such as Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) RA |
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What You'll Learn
EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System)
An Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is a flight deck instrument display system that uses electronic display technology instead of electromechanical means. EFIS systems display all information critical to the flight, including calibrated airspeed, altitude, heading, attitude, vertical speed, and yaw. The use of electronic displays allows EFIS to use colour widely to indicate changes in conditions, such as a blue caption to indicate when the glide slope is armed, and green when captured.
EFIS systems consist of a primary flight display (PFD), a multi-function display (MFD), and an engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) display. The PFD integrates and displays all information that was historically presented across several individual electromechanical instruments, improving the pilot's situational awareness and reducing the time needed to monitor the instruments. The PFD also alerts the aircrew to unusual or hazardous conditions by changing the colour or shape of the display or providing audio alerts.
The EFIS visual display is produced by the symbol generator, which receives data inputs from the pilot, signals from sensors, and EFIS format selections. The symbol generator performs the necessary computations, and the graphics generator and display driver produce the inputs to the display units.
Early EFIS models used cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, but modern systems use liquid crystal displays (LCD) which offer improved reliability, reduced weight and power consumption, and enhanced screen clarity and brightness.
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Display technology
An Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is a flight deck instrument display system that uses electronic display technology instead of electromechanical technology. EFIS systems display flight data electronically, improving the human-machine interface by allowing more visual interaction with human gestures.
The EFIS visual display is produced by the symbol generator, which receives data inputs from the pilot, signals from sensors, and EFIS format selections made by the pilot. The symbol generator, also known as the display processing computer or display electronics unit, has monitoring facilities, a graphics generator, and a display driver. The graphics generator and display driver produce the inputs to the display units.
Early EFIS models used cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, but liquid crystal displays (LCD) are now more common. These LCD panels are typically 8-inch, 10-inch, or 15-inch in size. The use of LCDs allows EFIS to employ colour widely in its displays, which traditional instruments have long lacked. For example, as an aircraft approaches the glide slope, a blue caption can indicate the glide slope is armed, and the capture might change the colour to green. Typical EFIS systems colour-code the navigation needles to reflect the type of navigation: green for ground-based navigation and magenta for GPS navigation.
A typical EFIS system comprises a Primary Flight Display (PFD), a Multifunctional Deck Display (MFD), and an Engine-Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS). The PFD integrates and depicts, on a single display, all the information that was historically presented on multiple individual electromechanical instruments. This includes information critical to flight, such as calibrated airspeed, altitude, heading, attitude, vertical speed, and yaw. The PFD improves the pilot's situational awareness by integrating this information into a single display, reducing the time needed to monitor the instruments. The PFD also increases situational awareness by alerting the aircrew to unusual or potentially hazardous conditions by changing the colour or shape of the display or providing audio alerts.
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Instrument displays
An Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is a flight deck instrument display system that uses electronic displays instead of electromechanical ones. EFIS consists of a primary flight display (PFD), a multi-function display (MFD), and an engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) display.
The PFD, also known as the Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI), is the central feature of the EFIS system and replaces the artificial horizon. It integrates and displays all the information that was historically presented across multiple individual electromechanical instruments. This includes the aircraft's speed, altitude, climb/descent, attitude, heading, and turning. The attitude indicator, or artificial horizon, shows the aircraft's relation to the horizon, allowing the pilot to tell if the aircraft is level and whether the nose is pointing above or below the horizon. The PFD may also include a horizontal situation indicator (HSI) or have it placed next to it. The HSI combines the magnetic compass with navigation signals and a glide slope.
The MFD, or Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI), replaces several instruments found on a conventional aircraft instrument panel. It provides lateral and vertical guidance to the pilot to maintain the selected track, heading, or approach. This includes guidance for climb and descent, levelling off, and missed approach. The EHSI is also referred to as the Navigation Display (ND).
EFIS displays use colour to indicate changes in conditions. For example, a blue caption may indicate that the glide slope is armed, and it may turn green when captured. Green needles indicate ground-based navigation, while magenta needles indicate GPS navigation. Pilots can also superimpose the weather radar picture on the displayed route.
Early EFIS models used cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, but modern systems use multi-colour liquid-crystal displays (LCD). EFIS improves display clarity by temporarily removing superfluous indications. For example, the glide slope scale is only displayed during an ILS approach. In the event of an input failure, EFIS removes invalid data and displays an appropriate warning instead.
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Flight data
An electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) is a flight deck instrument display system that presents flight data electronically rather than electromechanically. EFIS systems consist of a primary flight display (PFD), multi-function display (MFD), and an engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) display. The PFD is typically placed centrally and supersedes the artificial horizon, with the horizontal situation indicator (HSI) next to it or integrated with the PFD. The HSI combines the magnetic compass with navigation signals and a glide slope. The navigation information comes from a VOR/Localizer or GNSS.
The flight management system (FMS) is a type of electronic flight instrument that allows pilots to check information such as the flight plan, speed, and navigation. The FMS is a multipurpose instrument that automates a variety of tasks. The PFD features digital indicators, such as an altitude indicator, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator. Pilots often use the PFD to identify the plane's speed and altitude. The airspeed indicator works by measuring the ram-air pressure in the aircraft's pitot tube relative to the ambient static pressure. The indicated airspeed (IAS) must be corrected for non-standard pressure and temperature to obtain the true airspeed (TAS). The instrument is colour-coded to indicate important airspeeds such as stall speed, never-exceed airspeed, or safe flap operation speeds.
The attitude indicator, also known as the artificial horizon, shows the aircraft's relation to the horizon. From this, the pilot can tell whether the wings are level (roll) and if the aircraft nose is pointing above or below the horizon (pitch). Attitude is always presented in degrees (°). The heading indicator, also known as the directional gyro or DG, displays the aircraft's heading in compass points and with respect to magnetic north when set with a compass. The Turn-and-Slip Indicator and the Turn Coordinator indicate rotation about the longitudinal axis. They include an inclinometer to indicate if the aircraft is in coordinated flight or in a slip or skid. Additional marks indicate a standard-rate turn. The turn rate is most commonly expressed in degrees per second (deg/s) or minutes per turn (min/tr).
The EFIS visual display is produced by the symbol generator, which receives data inputs from the pilot, signals from sensors, and EFIS format selections made by the pilot. The symbol generator does more than generate symbols; it has monitoring facilities, a graphics generator, and a display driver.
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Display monitoring
In EFIS, the comparator function is more straightforward, comparing roll data from two sensors and displaying a warning caption on both Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) if the data differs. More advanced EFIS systems incorporate additional comparator monitors for parameters like airspeed, pitch, roll, and altitude.
The EFIS visual display relies on a symbol generator, which receives data inputs from the pilot, sensor signals, and EFIS format selections. This symbol generator, also known as a display processing computer or display electronics unit, performs multiple functions, including monitoring, graphics generation, and display driving. It validates sensor inputs for reasonableness, ensuring, for example, that a radio height does not exceed the radio altimeter's maximum.
The EFIS display technology offers advantages over traditional instruments by utilising colour to indicate changes in conditions. For instance, as an aircraft approaches the glide slope, a blue caption may indicate that the glide slope is armed, and the colour may change to green upon capture. EFIS systems also colour-code navigation needles, with green indicating ground-based navigation and magenta denoting GPS navigation. This colour-coding enhances a pilot's situational awareness and facilitates the removal of superfluous indications when not needed.
The PFD, a central component of EFIS, integrates critical flight information, such as calibrated airspeed, altitude, heading, attitude, vertical speed, and yaw, onto a single display. This simplifies the pilot's task by reducing the number of instruments that need to be monitored. Overall, the display monitoring capabilities of EFIS enhance the accuracy and reliability of flight data, contributing to safer and more efficient flight operations.
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Frequently asked questions
An electrical flying instrument system, also known as an Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), is a flight deck instrument display system that uses electronic display technology instead of electromechanical means to display flight data.
An EFIS typically consists of a primary flight display (PFD), multi-function display (MFD), and an engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) display. The PFD integrates and depicts all information that was historically presented on multiple individual electromechanical instruments, such as the aircraft's speed, altitude, and attitude.
EFIS improves safety by providing clear and concise information to the pilot. It can remove invalid data and substitute it with appropriate warnings. It also uses colour-coding to indicate changes in conditions, such as the aircraft approaching the glide slope.
