The Electronic Flight Instrument System

Modern aviation has steadily shifted away from traditional electromechanical gauges that were long found in aircraft cockpits, now having embraced more efficient integrated Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) technology. For pilots, aviation engineers, or flight enthusiasts, gaining a deeper understanding of EFIS components and their capabilities is essential. As such, be sure to read on as we provide an overview of these components for your benefit.

What Is an Electronic Flight Instrument System?

A typical EFIS will consist of a suite of digital displays and systems that replace conventional analog instruments in an aircraft’s cockpit. These systems provide pilots with comprehensive flight data in a centralized, digital format, enabling quicker decision-making and reducing cockpit workloads.

Most EFISs will primarily consist of two major components:

• The Primary Flight Display (PFD)
• The Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI)

The Primary Flight Display

The PFD is the central hub for obtaining real-time flight data. Replacing multiple analog gauges, the PFD integrates crucial flight information on a single screen. Key functions of the PFD include:

• Displaying altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, and heading
• Indicating attitude and flight director guidance
• Indicating auto-throttle and autopilot engagement
• Consolidating navigation and performance data for efficiency

Additionally, modern PFDs go beyond basic data, with many enhancing situational awareness for the benefit of flight. For example, flight director modes within PFDs assist with both vertical and lateral guidance, including climb and descent paths, approach and landing vectors, and maintaining selected headings or tracks.

Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator

The EHSI, also known as the Navigation Display (ND), presents spatial and navigational data that traditionally required multiple separate Instruments before. The key capabilities of a typical EHSI include:

• Displays heading, ground speed, and selected headings
• Providing bearing to navigation beacons
• Showing lateral deviation from a planned route
• Displaying weather radar overlays and topographical maps

EHSI technology is vital for route planning and en route monitoring, where the provided visual layout enhances spatial orientation and reduces navigational errors.

Display Modes

To tailor the presentation of displayed data to accommodate various phases of flight, EHSI technology tends to offer several modes.

• PLAN Mode: This mode provides a static map of the full flight plan, including waypoints, navigational aids, and destination airports. This assists in strategic planning and route confirmation before takeoff.
• MAP Mode: Map mode displays a dynamic, moving map of the aircraft’s real-time position, including navigation points, terrain, and airports. This offers improved situational awareness during flight.
• VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Mode: This mode highlights VOR stations and tracks, often being used during en route navigation and course adjustments.
• Instrument Landing System (ILS) Mode: ILS mode assists pilots during precision approaches, displaying localizer and glide slope data for safe landings.

Why EFIS Technology Matters in Modern Aviation

The transition from electromechanical systems to EFIS has led to a number of benefits being recognized, including:

• Enhanced Safety: EFISs offer centralized data to reduce pilot error, as well as offer better situational awareness during all flight phases.
• Increased Efficiency: Fewer instruments mean cleaner cockpit layouts, with EFIS technology presenting easier monitoring and interpretation of data.
• Improved Training and Standardization: Uniform systems simplify training across aircraft types, leading to easier adaptation for pilots transitioning between platforms.
• Maintenance and Upgrades: Digital systems are easier to update, with modular components reducing maintenance time.

Where You Can Reliably Source EFIS Parts

The Electronic Flight Instrument System represents a major leap in cockpit technology, enabling smarter and safer flying by combining navigation, performance, and safety data in digital formats. If you find yourself in search of reliable EFIS that can support your own endeavors, look no further than Aviation Sourcing Solutions, a leading purchasing platform from ASAP Semiconductor.

On our website, customers can utilize our curated catalogs to explore a wide range of high-quality EFIS components and avionics systems sourced from leading manufacturers and suppliers across the globe. Our online Request for Quote (RFQ) system also serves to simplify the process of obtaining options, with our staff providing customized solutions that are crafted through consultation. To see why so many continuously rely on Aviation Sourcing Solutions, get in touch with our staff today!