An Electronic Flight Instrument System is a flight deck instrument display system in which the display technology used is electronic rather than electromechanical. EFIS integrates multiple flight instruments into a single display unit, combining the indications of the primary flight instruments - the artificial horizon, the anemometer, the altimeter, the variometer, the compass, the ball, and the turn indicator - on a single screen. The system comprises a Primary Flight Display (PFD) and an Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI), managing the graphical display of the artificial horizon alongside all textual data. By presenting flight information in real time through intuitive formats, EFIS displays provide pilots with consolidated, easily interpreted flight data.
What is an EFIS system in an aircraft?
An Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is a flight deck instrument display system, which typically comprises a Primary Flight Display (PFD) or Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI), providing pilots with flight information in real time utilizing intuitive formats.
Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is the technical term for glass cockpits, a suite of electronic displays and computers that replaces conventional electromechanical instruments. EFIS integrates the primary flight instruments - artificial horizon, ball, turn indicator, anemometer, altimeter, variometer, and compass - onto a single display unit, providing pilots with a comprehensive overview of flight parameters through digital sensors and advanced computer graphics. In general aviation, an EFIS consists of only one multi-function display, while larger aircraft feature multiple screens like the Primary Flight Display, Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator, and Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System display.
Experimental EFIS systems, including A-EFIS running on Android or iOS devices using internal sensors, offer cost-effective solutions for light-sport, microlight, and ultralight aircraft, although they are provided ‘as is’ and must not be relied upon as the sole navigation aid. The best EFIS installations present data on multi-colour liquid-crystal monitors, replacing older CRT displays, and consolidate navigation, performance, engine, and weather information to boost accuracy, situational awareness, and reduce pilot workload. An EFIS-equipped panel enables pilots to enter selected headings, select display range and mode, and view real-time data on engine performance, weather radar overlays, topographical maps, and lateral deviation from the planned route, transforming flight instrument technology into a fundamental building block for Flight Management Systems and autopilots.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
