PRIMARY FLIGHT
DISPLAY (PFD)
KIRILCHEV VLADISLAV
ЛЭ(С)-19
CONTENT
• Introduction
• Components
• Layout and information
• Primary Flight Instruments
• Drawbacks
• Conclusion
• Questions for self-control
• References
OBJECTIVE
• To know deeply about Primary flight display (PFD) and and how important it is in
aviation and for pilots
TASKS
• To study the layout and information displayed on the
PFD
• Explore the advantages and disadvantages
INTRODUCTION
A primary flight display or PFD is a modern aircraft instrument dedicated to
flight information. Much like multi-function displays, primary flight
displays are built around a Liquid-crystal display or CRT display device.
Representations of older six pack or "steam gauge" instruments are
combined on one compact display, simplifying pilot workflow and
streamlining cockpit layouts.
COMPONENTS
While the PFD does not directly use the pitot-static system to physically display flight data,
it still uses the system to make altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, and other measurements
precisely using air pressure and barometric readings. An air data computer analyzes the
information and displays it to the pilot in a readable format. A number of manufacturers
produce PFDs, varying slightly in appearance and functionality, but the information is
displayed to the pilot in a similar fashion. FAA regulation describes that a PFD includes at a
minimum, an airspeed indicator, turn coordinator, attitude indicator, heading indicator,
altimeter, and vertical speed indicator [14 CFR Part 61.129(j)(1)].
LAYOUT AND INFORMATION
The layout and information displayed on the PFD varies depending upon manufacturer and
installation. However, most Primary Flight Displays are configured with a central attitude
indicator (AI) and flight director surrounded by other flight parameters. Convention
normally places the airspeed tape on the left side of the AI and the altitude and vertical
speed references on the right. Vertical deviation for ILS glideslope or VNAV (vertical
navigation) is displayed to the right of the AI while lateral deviation from the ILS, VOR or
FMS track is displayed below the AI. A compass reference is provided at the bottom of the
instrument while, in most cases, flight director, approach, autopilot and auto-throttle modes
are annunciated across the top of the instrument.
PRIMARY FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS
Flight instrument presentations on a PFD differ from conventional instrumentation not only
in format, but sometimes in location as well. For example, the attitude indicator on the PFD
in Figure 2-1 is larger than conventional round-dial presentations of an artificial horizon.
Airspeed and altitude indications are presented on vertical tape displays that appear on the
left and right sides of the primary flight display. The vertical speed indicator is depicted
using conventional analog presentation. Turn coordination is shown using a segmented
triangle near the top of the attitude indicator. The rate-of-turn indicator appears as a curved
line display at the top of the heading/navigation instrument in the lower half of the PFD.
Figure 2-1. A typical primary flight display (PFD).
DRAWBACKS
The great variability in the precise details of PFD layout makes it necessary for pilots to
study the specific PFD of the specific aircraft they will be flying in advance, so that they
know exactly how certain data is presented. While the basics of flight parameters tend to be
much the same in all PFDs (speed, attitude, altitude), much of the other useful information
presented on the display is shown in different formats on different PFDs. For example, one
PFD may show the current angle of attack as a tiny dial near the attitude indicator, while
another may actually superimpose this information on the attitude indicator itself. Since the
various graphic features of the PFD are not labeled, the pilot must learn what they all mean
in advance.
CONCLUSION
Most airliners built since the 1980s — as well as many business jets and an increasing
number of newer general aviation aircraft — have glass cockpits equipped with primary
flight and multi-function displays (MFDs). Cirrus Aircraft was the first general aviation
manufacturer to add a PFD to their already existing MFD, which they made standard on
their SR-series aircraft in 2003. Representations of older six pack or "steam gauge"
instruments are combined on one compact display, simplifying pilotworkflow and
streamlining cockpit layouts.
QUESTIONS FOR SELF-CONTROL
• What is a primary flight display or PFD?
• How the rate-of-turn indicator is displayed?
• What is drawbacks of PFD?
• What is the difference between Flight instrument on PFD and conventional
instrumentation?
REFERENCES
• [Link]
• [Link]
• [Link]
• [Link]
• Thierry Dubois (May 21, 2018).
"Airbus Introduces HUD Symbology On Primary Flight Display". Aviation Week &
Space Technology.
