Conundrum: Too much technology

[gmcjetpilot]

I have heard of this before. I was training pilots on the B757/B767/B747-400 in the early 90's and there were still pilots transitioning from steam gauges to glass. Some embraced it, some were intimidated. One word comes to mind.... Training.

Eyesight thing or other? Just saying big old 6-Pack is easy to see as are CDI in a 3.125" round nav head. For nav you set a frequency and set OBS. For GPS nav well.... long story and there is no standard. It's make and model dependent. it's but basic functions should be fairly easy to master with, TRAINING. (Simulators or PC trainers... there are around). How does he fly it? If he can fly a T-6 I am guessing he can fly a RV. However age catches up with us. Is it the fancy instruments and NAV or is he just is nervous about flying. Does he fly and land well? I need reading glasses now... So I get it. The little font on LCD in bright sunlight might be a challenge for older eyes.

Glass flight instrument - turn the juice on and set BARO.... of course checking it is working. I can see the info being overwhelming and how the data is being presented being so different. However after 100 hrs of flying it, then it is natural. There may be some PC based flight trainer / simulator for him to practice on. Some glass allows you to show a 6_pack verses the vertical tape.

Engine and System Inst - That takes some training but really can be left alone and should be intuitive. Of course is OVER KILL with 8 channels of CHT and EGT, plus FF in addition to what is normally in a steam gauge plane but with digital/bar display on a LCD screen.

Com and Transponder - this is somewhat same as before, unless it is integrated into the glass and radio head/control panels are remote controlled. I can see it being confusing. I see you have a stand alone Transponder, but your COM's I assume are part of the Garmin GPS units. The auto panel is another thing. I have one COM no audio panel. May be turn the second Garmin off.... simplify...

iPad - take it out or turn it off. if it is redundant.

GPS, NAV & Map- the map should be fairly easy, boot and look at it, but all the advanced functions are a lot to know.... again training and ground trainer/simulator. Is he or was he shooting Inst Approaches before? Frankly I don't know all the modern GPS operating procedures. Does KING flight school have a course? Does Garmin have a PC interactive trainer? I think they do.

The last option, may be the best, take all the glass out and give it to me, and install the steam gauges. (sorry could not resist). Seriously go fly with him. I have flown with older pilots who wanted a backup. I don't know his age, but some older pilots scare their self and lose confidants. Other older pilots around the airport get a reputation of not being safe. Not picking on Harrison Ford.... just saying. Older car drivers are the safest drivers, until they are not. My long departed Grandmother had a Chevy II. Every-time we went over to her house, I'd see new "paint transfer" on the side of the car... She liked side swiping bridge guard rails. I remember my parents arguing about taking her driving away....

This is all you NEED per the FAR's for day VFR

[BillL]

I have no real wisdom or lots of acronyms after my name, but did transition to my dual G3X/650 panel that has no steam gauges. I went from a 1969 182 cockpit with a DME to this one.

I had doubts about my ability to adapt, but forced the issue and approached it as your partner probably did in every new airplane ever flown, with an organized self teaching process.

VFR, looking outside was all about flying the plane, but renewing IFR after 35 yrs was a completely different experience. I really struggled with too much information, scan, and buttonology. I went back to basics, wrote it down with pencil and paper, what information did I need, where was it, and what were the priorities. Apparently, I could not adapt to the chevrons, so reset the picture and overcame that . . .many more examples. After a trial by fire in several IFR training flights, self study, and a bit of soak time in-between, suddenly it all came together, like seeing the old lady and young lady in the picture at the same time. I truly mean suddenly. One flight it just happened.

Only your judgment and a honest discussion with your partner will solve your dilemma, but if this old dog can learn new tricks, any old dog can.

How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the light bulb must want to change.

[RONSIM]

I going to help my partner better understand the screen by taking it one step at a time --

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by RONSIM

I going to help my partner better understand the screen by taking it one step at a time --

Excellent. It would have been a shame to send your panel back to 1995....

[RONSIM]

I am going to help my partner start out with a familiar screen that only takes three actions:

1. Swipe right to remove map
2. Press "EFIS"
3. Press "Analog"

And he will end up with this:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-sWNfCZS-L.jpg

This will get us started in the right direction --

I appreciate all of the suggestion.

Ron

[PilotjohnS]

I did a cross country yesterday in a spam can rental. In op gps, in op autopilot, barely functional vor.
I really enjoyed the flight because I had to FLY the whole way. Sometimes for me, a dumbed down panel is more enjoyable on a spring day.

[Tom @ N269CP]

Originally Posted by RONSIM

I am going to help my partner start out with a familiar screen that only takes three actions:

1. Swipe right to remove map
2. Press "EFIS"
3. Press "Analog"

And he will end up with this:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-sWNfCZS-L.jpg

This will get us started in the right direction --

I appreciate all of the suggestion.

Ron

I?m a steam gauge guy myself, except for the Garmin Aera 660....love that! I have engine monitor and FF compuer too.

What happens if your partner presses the wrong button by mistake? Or even a few buttons by mistake? Is there a simple way for him to get back to the original starting point? I can imagine that might be intimidating to think about. Theres gotta be a very easy way for him to get back to the original starting point.