I’m interested in learning to fly and I am doing a lot of research and homework on this subject. I have a few offers from good flight schools right now, but I’m trying to pick the right one for me.
Does anyone have any opinion on the differences between learning in a glass cockpit verse the traditional/standard instrumentation?
Plus, if any pilots or flight students have any advice to give me, that would be great!
Thanks for the help!!
#1 by Jordan on December 28th, 2011
Quote
Firstly let me just say I’m glad your getting offers and are taking up and interest in Aviation, I’m a young one too currently taking flight lessons and trust me you will NEVER regret it
To answer your question, it would probably be best to learn the glass cockpit because a lot of aircraft these days use more electric gauges and what not compared to traditional. It all depends on what you want though, and it depends on what you want to become. For example, perhaps you would like to become a commercial pilot, in which case, it would be best to learn the glass cockpit. However, if you wanted to fly privately (as in without being employed), you may want to learn traditional as a lot of rental agencies have not bought the more advanced aircraft.
#2 by jamprl on December 28th, 2011
Quote
traditional, cause if a monitor goes out on a glass cockpit, you’re screwed if you can’t do it the old fashioned way.
#3 by Jimmbbo on December 28th, 2011
Quote
IMO the main skill missing in most new pilots is situational awareness. The traditional instruments require the pilot to gather information from several sources and integrate it, which makes for better SA. Having all the information displayed is great for seeing the situation, but knowing where to get information makes you a stronger aviator.
#4 by Warbird Pilot on December 28th, 2011
Quote
Steam gauges, you can always learn glass but it doesn’t work well the other way.
#5 by Fly B on December 28th, 2011
Quote
Opinion? You’ll find lots of those here!! Hehe.
I would go with the traditional. It’s very easy to go from the old “steam gauges” to glass cockpit because you’re going from a complex scan of many crazy instruments to a very simple layout in the glass cockpit.
Before being hired by an airline, you’ll probably need to do a lot of small plane flying or instructing… and chances are you will not find a small operator anywhere with glass cockpits, so you will have to learn the traditional gauges eventually.
Now… if the glass cockpit training is like an integrated course, that may offer you direct entry into a regional carrier, then you may want to consider that option since a regional job would be golden for a young aspiring pilot (but don’t count on it, have a back-up plan at all times).
The glass cockpit will probably also be pricier, but offers no advantage over other pilots unless you can find a glass-cockpit job somewhere (which I haven’t been able to find…).
#6 by greg f on December 28th, 2011
Quote
I agree with warbird. Learning to fly is based on looking out the window and seeing whats going on, not watching a computer screen.
With that said, it is easier to transition to the glass panels from the old round gages then it is to transition to the gages from glass.
I start my students out in the older planes first, then if they want to fly the glass later its an option for them. Makes things a lot easier all the way around.
Something else to consider, most of the renter airplanes out there are going to be the older gage.. Your better off learning that first so you can go just about anywhere to rent.
If you want to start off in the glass, there is nothing wrong with it, it will just make learning the gages a little harder then it would be the other way around.
#7 by Chris on December 28th, 2011
Quote
This is a typical “chicken or the egg” question these days. Many guys will tell you traditional instruments are better because it is what 99% of us learned how to fly on and it seems that we all believe that traditional gauges for some reaon is so much harder than flying glass.
I would say both carry unique challenges and in my experience I am yet to see a student coming from glass having problems adjusting to traditional gauges. I have however noticed that some students adjusting to glass get a bit overwhelmed by all the functionality a glass cockpit offers. That said – you can expect a couple of hours “transitioning” into either cockpit environment.
My advice would be to forget about “glass or no glass” and focus on finding a good instructor instead – that is of far more value to you than the flashiness of the aircraft you fly.
Good Luck!