The primary flight display (PFD) combines vital flight information in electronic form, allowing for greater attention to flight information and more space for other instruments. PFDs vary between aircraft and display speed, altitude, and attitude. The center of the display usually contains the attitude indicator, with indicators for speed and altitude on the sides. A HUD is similar but displays only necessary information.
The main flight display (PFD) combines the instruments that display the most vital information for the aircraft in a single space. Unlike older instruments, a PFD provides information in electronic form. The advent of this technology has allowed for greater attention to flight information while increasing ease of use and the amount of space available for other instruments.
There are many providers of this technology, and the primary flight display performed by each varies to some degree. The use of PFDs is not limited to a particular aircraft, as both airplanes and helicopters can employ them. The differences between PFDs become even more apparent when considering the different missions and needs of each aircraft.
Although the main flight display does not provide the pilot with all the information about the physical condition of the aircraft, it does show the flight conditions of the aircraft. Each PFD displays the aircraft’s speed, altitude, and attitude. Altitude refers to the plane’s distance above sea level. The attitude is the orientation of the aircraft, it is heading, bank and pitch. If a PFD malfunctions, the pilot has to fly the aircraft using backup mechanical gauges.
Although the designs may differ, the overall design is often similar. The center of the main flight display usually contains the attitude indicator. This instrument indicates the position of the aircraft in space through the display of an artificial horizon. This means that the indicator shows pitch, which is the angle of the plane above or below the horizon, and roll, the tilt of the plane from side to side along a central axis running from the nose to the rear.
On the sides of the attitude indicator are two more indicators for speed and altitude. These are most commonly displayed vertically next to the artificial horizon. Airspeed is represented in units of knots, or nautical miles per hour (1,151 miles or 1,852 kilometers/hour). Units above mean sea level (AMSL), which is the average height of the surface of the world’s seas, are used to describe aircraft altitude. Another indicator that might be on a primary flight display is a compass rose.
Some similarities are apparent when comparing a Heads Up Display (HUD) and a Main Flight Display. A fighter jet can use a HUD, which is placed directly in front of the pilot in his field of view. This allows the pilot to focus more on the task at hand and spend less time looking at the gauges. However, a HUD should only display the minimum amount of information necessary for the pilot to maintain proper control. A PFD is capable of greater customization and displaying much more information than a HUD and is probably present on any modern aircraft equipped with a head-up display as well.
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