Definition
A cockpit screen that is part of the aircraft's installed avionics system, used to present flight, navigation, engine, or systems information to the pilot. Avionics displays are certified components of the aircraft and receive data directly from onboard sensors and equipment.
Plain English
A built-in screen in the cockpit that shows the pilot information from the aircraft's own instruments and systems.
Context Anchor
Seen in Electronic Flight Bag discussions when comparing information shown on an EFB with information shown on installed cockpit displays.
Derivation
Avionics is a blend of aviation and electronics, coined in the 1940s for electronic equipment built into aircraft. So an avionics display is, literally, an aircraft-electronics screen — installed in the panel rather than carried into the cockpit.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots rely on these displays for accurate situational awareness and safe decision-making during instrument procedures.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an avionics display means any screen used by a pilot. In this context, it usually means a cockpit display tied to the aircraft’s electronic systems; an EFB may show similar information, but it is not automatically the same thing.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot cross-checked the GPS course on the avionics display before turning toward the next waypoint.
Example Sentence 2
An EFB can mirror data from the avionics display to provide a backup view of navigation information.