Having the right information while flying an aircraft is the smartest way to go, as that information can help make crucial decisions needed for a proper cushion of safety.
However, what happens when there is too much information, or when the information coming in is not the right information or exact information perhaps due to a slight time delay.
Okay so, you can see why this recently became a think tank topic, and why fellow think tanker, Troy Laclaire, and I set out to address this.
You see, there has been an incredible leap in avionics technology in the last decade, so much so, as it makes nearly all the old technology completely obsolete.
Consider if you will the robust, sexy, and incredible technology now available in the Garmin GTN 650 and GTN 750 for communication, navigation, and pertinent aviation information.
The system is truly a cut above, and yet one has to ask if it has so much information as to be somewhat distracting to the pilots.
Troy noted that, the system could become a distraction, and yet, I must say folding out sectional charts on your lap, and fuddling through Jeppesen binders isn't exactly a non-distraction either, which is what I basically had to do while flying as a young teenager, while learning.
Nevertheless, Troy's comments are well taken, just as those points of contention against TV, DVD, and Video players in the center console of your automobile.
Okay so, yes, this is also one of my concerns, thus, information overload versus what's really needed is important, also the speed of the aircraft matters because faster planes, their pilots must be thinking ahead, as in where they are going and what the situation will be when they get there so they can calculate fuel and options, and alternate airport choices.
Garmin is busy selling these units to owners of private jets, and general aviation and these units are already being marketed, sold and installed all over the world.
These are hot items, lots of upgrades from previous versions, way ahead of Loran and others.
Further, I'd say it adds a lot of safety to general aviation, which can always use better systems, and more relevant data to help pilots.
Troy stated; "if all information is being obtained remotely via satellite, this could cause potential issues if the satellite ever went down.
" Yes, or at least the last known data, but that might also give a false sense of security? I know satellite radio is 5-10 seconds so you can drive under bridges and partially through tunnels without losing a signal.
Troy stated that in a perfect world, he'd "like to see a backup, ground based system to augment/take over in the event of a satellite failure.
Failures can come from multiple sources, from sudden power failure to a piece of space junk hitting the satellite.
Yes, well this system is an alternate system to all the avionics and systems already available and now in use.
So, in essence it is a secondary system, although it makes the first system obsolete in many regards.
Now then, the data in these Garmin units which is for airport information, it too needs to be upgraded often, just as Jeppessen Binder pages are.
Troy wonders if it makes sense that one pilot on board knows the route and airport from previous experience.
Well, indeed, of course, that can't always happen in private jet charter, or in general aviation.
"That is a problem, however I would think it should be more feasible for airlines with set routes," states Troy.
Sure he's correct, and you could have the pilots of airliners fly into all the airports in the simulator prior to any actual flight, the military most likely does this now for its missions too.
Of course, by the time someone gets to be pilot in command of an Airliner aircraft they've been to all the airports anyway so many times, as a co-pilot and second officer, all the extra regulations of this type are simply not necessary for the airlines.
Still, having all that data, information, and the Garmin systems around sure make flying a lot safer, and easier, as long as a pilot doesn't get too involved in the data, and doesn't fly the aircraft first.
Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.
However, what happens when there is too much information, or when the information coming in is not the right information or exact information perhaps due to a slight time delay.
Okay so, you can see why this recently became a think tank topic, and why fellow think tanker, Troy Laclaire, and I set out to address this.
You see, there has been an incredible leap in avionics technology in the last decade, so much so, as it makes nearly all the old technology completely obsolete.
Consider if you will the robust, sexy, and incredible technology now available in the Garmin GTN 650 and GTN 750 for communication, navigation, and pertinent aviation information.
The system is truly a cut above, and yet one has to ask if it has so much information as to be somewhat distracting to the pilots.
Troy noted that, the system could become a distraction, and yet, I must say folding out sectional charts on your lap, and fuddling through Jeppesen binders isn't exactly a non-distraction either, which is what I basically had to do while flying as a young teenager, while learning.
Nevertheless, Troy's comments are well taken, just as those points of contention against TV, DVD, and Video players in the center console of your automobile.
Okay so, yes, this is also one of my concerns, thus, information overload versus what's really needed is important, also the speed of the aircraft matters because faster planes, their pilots must be thinking ahead, as in where they are going and what the situation will be when they get there so they can calculate fuel and options, and alternate airport choices.
Garmin is busy selling these units to owners of private jets, and general aviation and these units are already being marketed, sold and installed all over the world.
These are hot items, lots of upgrades from previous versions, way ahead of Loran and others.
Further, I'd say it adds a lot of safety to general aviation, which can always use better systems, and more relevant data to help pilots.
Troy stated; "if all information is being obtained remotely via satellite, this could cause potential issues if the satellite ever went down.
" Yes, or at least the last known data, but that might also give a false sense of security? I know satellite radio is 5-10 seconds so you can drive under bridges and partially through tunnels without losing a signal.
Troy stated that in a perfect world, he'd "like to see a backup, ground based system to augment/take over in the event of a satellite failure.
Failures can come from multiple sources, from sudden power failure to a piece of space junk hitting the satellite.
Yes, well this system is an alternate system to all the avionics and systems already available and now in use.
So, in essence it is a secondary system, although it makes the first system obsolete in many regards.
Now then, the data in these Garmin units which is for airport information, it too needs to be upgraded often, just as Jeppessen Binder pages are.
Troy wonders if it makes sense that one pilot on board knows the route and airport from previous experience.
Well, indeed, of course, that can't always happen in private jet charter, or in general aviation.
"That is a problem, however I would think it should be more feasible for airlines with set routes," states Troy.
Sure he's correct, and you could have the pilots of airliners fly into all the airports in the simulator prior to any actual flight, the military most likely does this now for its missions too.
Of course, by the time someone gets to be pilot in command of an Airliner aircraft they've been to all the airports anyway so many times, as a co-pilot and second officer, all the extra regulations of this type are simply not necessary for the airlines.
Still, having all that data, information, and the Garmin systems around sure make flying a lot safer, and easier, as long as a pilot doesn't get too involved in the data, and doesn't fly the aircraft first.
Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.