When a pilot becomes familiar and comfortable with the new electronics display, he or she also tends to become more reliant on the system. The system then becomes a primary source of navigation and data acquisition instead of the supplementary source of data as initially intended.
Complete reliance on the moving map for navigation becomes a problem during a failure of one, more, or all of flight display screens. Under these conditions, the systems revert to a composite mode ( called reversionary ), which eliminates the moving map display and combines the PFD with the engine indicating system. ( figure below ) if pilot has relied on the display for navigation information and situational awareness, he or she lacks any concept of critical data such as the aircraft’s position, the nearest airport, or proximity to other aircraft.
The electronic flight display is a supplementary source of navigation data and does not replace en route charts. To maintain situational awareness, a pilot must follow the flight on the en route chart while monitoring the PFD. It is important for pilot to know the location of the closest airport as well as surrounding traffic relative of his or her aircraft. This information becomes critical should the electronic flight display fail.
For the pilot who utilizes the electronic database as a substitute for the airport Facilities Directory, screen failure or loss of electrical power can mean the pilot is no longer able to acces airport information. Once the pilot loses the ability to call up airport information, aeronautical decision – making is compromised.
Repair EFD 85 Rockwell Collins
