By Mike Davenport, Vancouver, British Columbia

Luddite — Modern definition: a technophobe, one who avoids modern technology.

Being more than a little challenged by the digital inroads into society in the last decade, I find myself more and more confused, and even intimidated, not only by my TV remote and my cell phone, but certainly by the “glass” panels that can be seen in everything from new cars to certified and amateur-built airplanes as well as being retrofitted into many antiques and classics. However, when it comes to the glass made by the likes of Dynon, Garmin, et al., I’m clearly in the minority.

Aviation has seen a spectacular growth in “flat panel cockpits,” from what we traditionally called the “six pack,” added to these were the mandatory engine gauges and perhaps a simple portable GPS. This has become wall-to-wall glass, almost eliminating the need to look outside. This could be problematic in a single-pilot situation, sort of like using your cell phone while driving.

As for me, yes, I did buy the simple yoke-mounted portable GPS, but having a belts and suspenders mindset, always carried current charts. Having flown almost the length and breadth of Canada and a lesser portion of the U.S. while following the pencil line across the folds, I tended to stay with the familiar. After all, there was that feeling of having made progress when tossing the ”used” chart into the back seat while fumbling with the new one; all to continue the route planned in the motel the previous night. Drawing pencil lines on the chart has always seemed more satisfying than poking a finger at a computer. Besides that, the chart never lost the signal.

Most, if not all, new panels include moving maps and flight planning capability, engine monitoring, and both fuel consumption and remaining amounts. Added to this would be the appropriate radios and transponder. ADS-B Out and possibly ADS-B In are another possibility. More often than not the panels include an autopilot as well as the second screen and nav/com for redundancy.

All this, however, requires significant electrical power such as supplied by a 60-amp alternator. The systems do come with a 30-minute battery to provide security should the alternator fail. In a certified aircraft, some steam gauges may have to be retained, just in case. Another “belts and suspenders” application.

Not the least of the many things to think about when considering a new panel is the cost. That can reach well north of $40,000. Then there is the installation. That can easily add 50 percent or more to the equipment costs. It is likely to take an experienced technician a minimum of 40 hours of labour on a new airframe and substantially more for a refit on an older aircraft. However, if you decide to do it yourself, it could turn out very well as you, as owner, are likely to read the manual, watch all the related YouTube videos, and take the time to do it right. This requires both the patience and skills that brought you to this stage in your project.

In my case, the skills are limited to knowing which end of the extension cord to plug into the wall. Thus, I would need to hire that tech to do the work.

So, what is the end game for all of this? Glass can provide a seemingly unlimited amount of information to make flight planning and trips much easier than in the past. IFR flights and access to busy controlled airspace now becomes easier.

Or it all could just be a conspiracy. See, if there are no more maps printed, paper production will fall so that fewer trees will be cut, and the sky won’t fall.

Full disclosure: I no longer “have a dog in the hunt.” The Stinson has been sold as the medical has been withdrawn.