Insights

Humans resist change, but history proves that change is inevitable. I know pilots who scoff at advanced cockpit technology, and I know those who started that training but quit because it was overwhelming. From my experience, those situations are unfortunate and unnecessary.

I was a conventional-cockpit Boeing 737-200 captain when my airline purchased glass-cockpit Boeing 737-300s, and I was sent to our training center for a six-day glass-cockpit transition course. I thought this would be a snap because I would have only one instrument to scan—the video screen called the primary flight display—and I would have six nights of extended happy hour. Wrong! It seemed as though I was standing in front of a fire hose.

I survived, but I was not comfortable with the technology until I had used it for a few months. During that time, I frequently turned off the gee-whiz stuff, including the autopilot, and hand flew the airplane using raw data because the technology was not cooperating. There was nothing wrong with the equipment; I was just trying to do what I was taught and that meant doing too much too soon.

Later, as a check airman flying with new captains and new first officers, it was obvious that most pilots were uncomfortable with the new technology after finishing simulator training at our training center—a place that I detested and referred to as an indoctrination center.

I realized that the problem originated on the first day of training when the B-737 fleet captain addressed our class and said, “My pilots are going to master every nuance of this technology.” He obviously thought that would occur in five days, which resulted in the fire hose (day six was the checkride).

Now, after 25 years of flying and training in glass-cockpit airplanes—both airline and general aviation—I can tell you this: The advanced technology is fantastic equipment that truly enhances flight safety and pilot awareness, but to enjoy it and have confidence using it, you must be taught properly. To do that, master the basic functions before you advance to additional features. In other words, you must take it one step at a time, and it does take time and continual practice to truly master the technology.

Years ago, the British gave the best description of glass-cockpit flying in one of their safety publications: “With respect to a conventional cockpit, the glass cockpit simplifies workload in a normally low-workload situation, increases workload in a normally high-workload situation, has many features created by engineers that do not necessarily help a pilot, and the ideal glass-cockpit pilot would have an ATP certificate, 10,000 hours of flight time, and be 17 years old.” British humor at its best, but it’s the truth.

My general aviation flight school experience revealed another facet of this technology. Many pilots checked out in one of our glass-cockpit airplanes, and those who flew frequently did enjoy those airplanes. Those who flew infrequently, however, soon reverted back to conventional-panel airplanes, often referred to as steam gauges. They quickly realized that disasters occurred if they pushed the wrong button, or pushed the correct button at the wrong time. Flight proficiency has always been a mandatory pilot responsibility, and with a glass cockpit, that requirement is critical. Those pilots must maintain airplane and avionics proficiency.

Airline training is conducted in advanced flight simulators, after which pilots fly regular trips for 20 to 30 hours with, at my airline, a check airman. I would always have new pilots hand-fly the airplane to learn its operating capabilities and quirks. That’s when I came up with Butcher’s Rule: When hand-flying, use only the PFD and the moving map on the multifunction display. If other functions need to be used, engage the autopilot before dealing with the new task and continue to scan for traffic.

When glass cockpits were new, I attended a meeting regarding operating problems that our pilots were experiencing. After listening to others tell their tales of woe, I gave my explanation: “Imagine that you’ve had nothing to eat for two weeks and sitting down in front of those glass screens is a sack of Big Macs.” That’s correct, because if you don’t have the proper self-discipline, those screens will suck the eyeballs out of your head. I kid you not.

Why did this technology roar into existence? It’s simple. Digital avionics allowed manufactures to certify airplanes for autolands—multiple autopilots fly the approach and land in extreme low-visibility conditions. This saved the airlines millions of dollars by eliminating numerous weather diversions and flight cancellations. Money talks! So does technology.