Plain English Meaning
Flight information shown on screens in the cockpit instead of on round mechanical dials.
Full Definition
Cockpit instruments that present flight, navigation, and engine information on computer-driven screens rather than on traditional mechanical gauges with moving needles and dials.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft with screen-based panels, often called glass cockpits, and in training about automation, instrument scanning, and display failures.
Why Pilots Care
They give pilots clearer integrated data at a glance, improving situational awareness and lowering the chance of missing critical information.
Analogy
Like replacing a wall full of separate clocks, thermometers, and radios with a single tablet screen that can show any of them on demand.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an electronic instrument display is just a fancy version of one old gauge. One screen may combine information from several instruments and aircraft systems.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor introduced the new student to the aircraft's electronic instrument displays before the first lesson.
Example Sentence 2
Transition training includes practice reading electronic instrument displays instead of traditional analog gauges.