Steam or Glass?:

Technology’s Affect on Aviation Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolyn Oehrig

Intern/Mentor GT Program

Glenelg High School

 

Mentor: Katherine McClinton

Frederick Flight Center

February 2011

 

 

 

Abstract

            Over the past thirty years the inside of a recreational small airplane has changed dramatically. Planes like the Cessna 172 have moved from traditional steam gauges to glass cockpits classified by the use of Garmin Global Positioning Systems. The new technology in these planes puts the information together in a much simpler way, but is the ease of this technology conducive to learning? Private Pilots flying under the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) will most likely learn how to find information most easily in a glass cockpit, but for those private pilots that intend on getting an instrument rating a steam cockpit would be more beneficial. By studying at Frederick Flight Center, researching internet sources, and asking consumer and professional opinions, I have concluded that for pilots expecting to move beyond a private license a steam cockpit will be most beneficial. Pilots who do not wish to continue flying beyond a private license will learn more efficiently in a glass cockpit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Title Page                                                                                             1

Abstract                                                                                               2

Table of Contents                                                                                 3

Introduction                                                                                          4

Methods                                                                                               5

Visual Aids                                                                                           5-6

Results                                                                                                 6

Discussion                                                                                            6

Conclusion                                                                                           6

Recommendations                                                                                6

Acknowledgements                                                                              7

References                                                                                           7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

The majorities of pilots are either private or instrument pilots. Private pilots can fly a range of small planes in weather conditions which are neither turbulent nor very cloudy or overcast. There are rules for the level of the clouds and level of visibility in which a private pilot can fly. These rules are called Visual Flight Rules (VFR). A pilot with an instrument pilot can fly in weather conditions worse than that of a VFR pilot. The rules allowing instrument pilots to fly in more complex weather conditions are called Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). There is debate about what kind of cockpit is most conducive to each pilot as they learn—glass or steam. Glass cockpits utilize modern Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and pitot-static systems, but a steam cockpit solely uses the pitot-static and gyroscopic instruments which are classically seen in the cockpit of a small plane. The conditions outside the plane change the way the pilot flies. On a clear day, most flying is done through out-of-window visual aids. However, on a day with low visibility a pilot will rely more heavily on instruments. VFR pilots mainly use out-of window visual aids when they are learning, but pilots trying to earn an instrument rating will practice without any view of the outside at all. The following are conditions of each flight rule.

            Visual Flight Rules for classes B, C, D, and E (under 10,000ft MSL) airspace maintain that “no person may operate an aircraft under VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace”. These conditions for said airspaces are 3 statute mile visibility, 500 feet below all clouds, 1,000 feet above all clouds, and 2,000 feet horizontal distance from all clouds. There are other conditions for class G airspace, but in order to simplify the comparison between VFR and IFR these basic weather minimums will represent VFR conditions.

            Specific Instrument Flight Rules Here:

Methods

            Determining which type of cockpit is best for student pilots is a highly opinionated matter. Conclusions will be based mostly on professional opinion, common complaints and compliments, consumer reports, and instructor’s findings. There is no way to accurately test a preference, but the most common preference will be published in this paper. All interview results will be from consumers or professionals that have been questioned at the Frederick Flight Center.

 

Visual Aids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Left to Right: Glass Cockpit, Steam Cockpit)

 

 

 

Results and Discussion

Glass   + -         Used for all purposes -         Easier to do in-plane navigation, or last minute planning -         Newer models or planes are equipped with GPS -         Conducive to IFR learning     ∆ -         May cause reliance on instruments -         Does not encourage out-of-window visual aids -         More expensive

Steam   + -         Good basic for all purposes (beginner to advanced) -         Emphasizes out-of-window visual flight -         Helps build correct instincts -         Typically a cheaper alternative -         Conducive to VFR learning     ∆ -         Comes with older plane models -         Means there must be an adaption to the GPS system at a later point in time -         More visually difficult for navigation inside the plane. -         Some companies no longer sell models with a steam cockpit

            In this topic, there is no correct or proven way to learn how to fly a small, general aviation plane. The result of studying opinion and discussions are best displayed as a sort of pro-con list so that future beginner pilots can make an informed decision. The following pro-con list will show the facts that have been repeatedly mentioned and suggested by pilots, instructors, consumer, and airplane companies over the course of research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgements

            Thanks to Mr. Ashcraft for accepting me into the Intern and  Mentorship Program. I would like to thank Frederick Flight Center for taking me on as an intern and enrolling me in their ground school. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Katherine McClinton for agreeing to be my mentor.

References

Flight Dynamics and Control Toolbox. N.p., 20 Nov. 2005. Web. 28 Aug. 2010.

     <home.wanadoo.nl...>.

 

Fuller, Caitlina. "The Basics of Aircraft Equipments." Ezine Articles. N.p., 27
     June 2008. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. <ezinearticles.com.

 

Glass Cockpit in Geberal Aviation. N.p., 18 Nov. 2008. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.
     <www.airliners.net...>.

 

Guided Flight Discovery Private Pilot. Englewood: Jeppesen, 2007. Print.

Gyroscopes. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2010. <www.gyroscopes.org>.

 

Henri Pitot Tube- Speed Measuring Instrument. N.p., 2006. Web. 4 Nov. 2010.
     <www.speedace.info...>.

 

"Re: Waypoint Flight School." Glass Cockpit versus Steam Gauges for Private
     Pilot Training. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2011. <www.facebook.com
     topic.php?uid=210209145114&topic=14743>.