Definition
Cockpit instruments that present flight, navigation, engine, and system information on computer-driven screens rather than through individual mechanical gauges. They typically combine multiple traditional instruments into a single integrated display, with information drawn from digital sensors and processors.
Plain English
Screens in the cockpit that show your flight information, instead of separate round dials. One screen can show what used to take six or more individual gauges.
Context Anchor
Seen in modern instrument panels, especially in aircraft where many traditional round gauges have been replaced by screens.
Derivation
Electronic refers to the use of digital sensors and processors driving the screen, rather than mechanical linkages or vacuum-driven gyros. Display simply means a visual presentation of information. Together: information shown on a screen, generated electronically.
Why Pilots Care
Electronic displays change how a pilot scans, interprets, and cross-checks information. They consolidate data, reduce panel clutter, and add features like trend indicators and moving maps -- but they also fail differently than mechanical instruments and require pilots to know the reversion modes and backup instruments.
Intuition Check
Do not assume electronic displays are automatically easier, more accurate, or failure-proof. The phrase only means the information is being shown on an electronic screen; the pilot still has to read it correctly and be ready for a failure.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft's electronic displays presented airspeed, altitude, attitude, and heading on a single screen in front of the pilot.
Example Sentence 2
Electronic displays combine multiple readings into one view so the pilot does not need to scan separate gauges.