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.
Plain English
Flight information shown on screens in the cockpit instead of on round mechanical 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.