Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 40

PILOT’S GUIDE

S T O R Y

B Y

D A V E

H I G D O N

The Infinitely Variable ‛Digital’ Interface
f you lived between 1979 and 1983, you may remember the old commercials for AT&T: “Reach out. Reach out and touch someone.” The line became a tag line for Ma Bell, the only nationwide phone company at the time. Somewhere, someone involved in marketing modern avionics wishes they could use this tag line for their latest panel product – one controlled and operated largely through a finger-touch on a color display. The connection? Recently, avionics companies unleashed a flurry of new products tied more by their embrace of this widely popular user interface than merely their common main functions. The products and systems addressed here operate, or can operate, via a screen interface reactive to the human touch. The increasingly ubiquitous touchscreen – they’ve morphed from monochromatic business tools, such as ATMs and point-of-purchase systems, to full-color interfaces on everything from smartphone and tablet-computers to portable GPS navigators and electronic flight bags.

Mania
Touchscreen
Now, the touchscreen interface is making big inroads into small plane cockpits and large planes as well. The reasons are multiple, and often this is the case with technological leaps. All in all, avionics makers attribute the embrace of touch-sensitive computer displays to a range of factors as varied as the list of devices offering them. And, it’s quite a list. Details, Details: Not All of These Take the Same Touch Touchscreen technology is versatile enough that it can serve solely as an input device, displaying adaptive graphics to match various functions, or as the main display screen of a device with the touch-control icons working in parallel with the function displayed, such as a primary flight display, multifunction display or dedicated hazard display. It all comes down to how the designers want the system to work in the targeted environment. We continue the introduction with a quick catalog of the systems available. Garmin Starts the Switch Look to a company barely two decades old for the launch of touchscreen
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Avidyne ’s IFD540

I

avionics – well, touchscreen controllers for avionics. In October 2009, Garmin started the ball rolling at the National Business Aviation Association meeting in Orlando, unveiling the G3000 package. A significant advance in integrated panel systems, the G3000 Garmin features 16:9-ratio displays – diagonally 14.1 inches – and employs centrally mounted control heads based on graphical touchscreen interface panels, the GTC 570. According to Garmin, the glass touchscreen controller serves as the primary point of entry for the G3000 system. The GTC 570 serves as a desktopstyle, icon-driven user interface built on a new “shallow” menu structure, enabling the user to access more systems and sensors with fewer keystrokes or page sequences. This user interface is totally softwarebased, making it easily configurable for specific airframes and avionics configurations, as well as future enhancements, applications and system expansion. All can be accommodated without physically altering the mechanical controls. The display screens themselves, regardless of the number employed, have



Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013

From the Publisher
Interested in AEA Membership?
AEA Staff/Board of Directors
New Avionics Products for 2012
Training Time
Combined Vision 2012
Before & After
Electronic Engine Instruments
Touchscreen Mania
In Through the Out Door
EFB Solutions
ADS-B
Flight Deck iPads & Tablets
WAAS GPS
Sounding Off On Audio Panels
Repair Stations
Manufacturers/Distributors
Affiliates/Index
AEA Member Company Index
Advertisers Index
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Intro
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Cover1
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Cover2
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 1
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 2
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 3
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Interested in AEA Membership?
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 5
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - AEA Staff/Board of Directors
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 7
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - New Avionics Products for 2012
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 9
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 10
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 11
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 12
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 13
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 14
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 15
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 16
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 17
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 18
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 19
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 20
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 21
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Training Time
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 23
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 24
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 25
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Combined Vision 2012
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 27
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 28
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 29
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Before & After
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 31
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 32
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 33
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Electronic Engine Instruments
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 35
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 36
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 37
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 38
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 39
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Touchscreen Mania
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 41
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 42
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 43
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 44
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 45
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 46
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 47
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 48
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 49
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - In Through the Out Door
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 51
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 52
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 53
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - EFB Solutions
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 55
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 56
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 57
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 58
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 59
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - ADS-B
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 61
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 62
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 63
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Flight Deck iPads & Tablets
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 65
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 66
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 67
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 68
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 69
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 70
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 71
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - WAAS GPS
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 73
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 74
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 75
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 76
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 77
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 78
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 79
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Sounding Off On Audio Panels
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 81
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 82
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 83
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 84
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 85
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 86
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 87
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 88
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Repair Stations
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 90
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 91
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 92
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 93
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 94
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 95
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 96
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 97
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 98
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 99
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 100
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 101
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 102
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 103
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 104
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 105
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 106
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 107
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 108
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 109
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 110
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 111
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 112
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 113
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 114
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 115
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 116
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 117
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 118
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 119
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 120
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 121
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 122
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 123
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 124
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 125
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 126
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 127
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 128
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 129
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 130
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Manufacturers/Distributors
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 132
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 133
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 134
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 135
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 136
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 137
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 138
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 139
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 140
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 141
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 142
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Affiliates/Index
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 144
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 145
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 146
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 147
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 148
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - AEA Member Company Index
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 150
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 151
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 152
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 153
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 154
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 155
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 156
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 157
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 158
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 159
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Advertisers Index
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Cover3
Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - Cover4
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