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TOUCHSCREEN MANIA
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ics maker designs the interface – all touch, mostly touch, or touch and buttons – it’s clear these companies see other benefits. It’s All in the Programming “While it’s just another way of controlling a device, it does mean adding a new layer of software, another layer of development,” Hayden said. But, it’s a flexible interface with infinitely variable application potential. “Our G3000, G5000, G2000 and the GTN 650 and 750 could not exist without this, because the user interface was designed around the touchscreen device and the adaptive user interface behind it,” Stone said. “A different user interface can easily be created through the adaptive interface using the same screen.”

Garmin could have easily added a touchscreen on the face of the GNS530. “But, if we left what was underneath the same, it really wouldn’t improve the use,” Stone said. “It’s discoverable – people can pick it up and start using it without a lot of instruction.” And, that aspect alone answers a complaint of many pilots who use the widely popular GNS boxes, the 530 and 430, or the G1000 found in Cessna singles, the Citation Mustang and other aircraft through retrofit. “Some airline-style FMS (flightmanagement systems) take a week of training to use,” Stone said. Cessna Aircraft includes a threeday introductory course on the G1000 for customers taking delivery of new airplanes equipped with the integrated panel system. And, these displays offer consider-

able flexibility in adding new functions. “The adaptive interface and display are very good platforms to introduce new technologies as they come forward,” Stone said. That means enabling the introduction of new functions to devices, such as the two GTN models, using reprogrammed interfaces accessible through the graphical touch-sensitive interface. Avidyne’s Schwinn summed up a view common to all four companies embracing the touch-sensitive control interface: “We believe touchscreen can provide significant improvements in functionality and work-load reduction for pilots when the technology is appropriately applied.” And, now it’s being applied more than ever to the aircraft avionics stack. q
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Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013