Definition
A flight instrument display system that replaces traditional mechanical (analog) cockpit gauges with electronic displays. EFIS typically presents primary flight information — attitude, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, heading, and navigation data — on one or more electronic screens driven by digital data from the aircraft's sensors and computers.
Plain English
It's the modern 'glass cockpit' setup, where the old round dial instruments are replaced by computer screens that show all the same flight information electronically.
Context Anchor
Seen in glass-cockpit aircraft, cockpit display checks, and maintenance work involving flight instrument displays.
Derivation
Electronic' refers to the use of digital circuitry and displays rather than mechanical movements. 'Flight Instrument System' means the integrated set of instruments a pilot uses to fly the aircraft. The name simply reflects the shift from mechanical needles and dials to electronic screens driven by computers.
Why Pilots Care
Improves readability, reduces pilot workload, and integrates multiple data sources into one view for better decision making.
Intuition Check
EFIS is not one single gauge. It is the whole electronic system that gathers flight information and presents it on cockpit displays.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft's EFIS displayed the pilot's attitude, altitude, and airspeed on a single primary flight display.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots use the EFIS to monitor navigation data alongside engine parameters.