Definition
Numerical values shown on an electronic flight display as actual digits rather than as a moving needle, pointer, or analog gauge. On a glass cockpit, parameters such as airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, heading, and engine values are presented as precise numbers that update in real time alongside their tape or dial representations.
Plain English
The actual numbers shown on the screen, instead of a needle pointing at a number on a dial.
Context Anchor
Seen on electronic flight displays when a pilot is checking or setting power during instrument flying.
Derivation
Digital' comes from Latin 'digitus' meaning finger — historically used for counting, and now meaning information shown as discrete numbers. 'Readout' simply means a value the instrument displays for you to read. Together: a value shown as numbers you can read directly.
Why Pilots Care
Gives precise power information without the interpretation needed for analog needles, reducing errors in power setting.
Intuition Check
Digital does not automatically mean more accurate or more important. Here it means the value is shown as numbers on the display.
Example Sentence 1
She set climb power by watching the torque digital readout rather than estimating from the gauge arc.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach the student kept the engine within limits by watching the digital readouts for RPM and fuel flow.