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Transitioning from glass to steam gauges

Asked by: 2564 views Aircraft Systems, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Student Pilot

I am an instructor in a syllabus where students start out in an aircraft that has a glass cockpit and a HUD and then they transition to my aircraft which has the classic steam 6 pack cockpit. I have found all my students have a rough time adjusting to the new scan. They misread needles, dont recognize the rate a needle is moving, and/or can't interpret the information quickly enough from an instrument to make the correct control input. 

Any suggestions for excercises, training aids, or techniques to help students transition into steam gauges?

1 Answers



  1. KDS on Oct 22, 2019

    Other than drill and repetition, I can’t suggest anything magical. Of course a simple basic simulator would be very cost effective in that area.

    I did once see a study that said it was easier for students to go from steam to glass than from glass to steam.

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