Definition
Avionics architectures in which navigation, performance, autopilot, autothrottle, displays, and communication systems are linked together and managed through a central flight management computer. Pilot inputs (such as a route or arrival procedure) are entered once, and the system coordinates all connected components to fly the aircraft accordingly.
Plain English
A setup where all the major aircraft systems work together as one. The pilot tells the computer what is wanted, and the computer drives the autopilot, engines, displays, and navigation together to make it happen.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when discussing modern cockpit equipment, route entry, navigation guidance, and how pilots manage an IFR flight.
Derivation
‘Integrated’ comes from Latin integrare, meaning ‘to make whole.’ The word emphasises that the systems are not separate boxes the pilot juggles individually — they are joined into one coordinated whole.
Why Pilots Care
Cuts workload and reduces errors during complex instrument procedures by keeping all flight data synchronized and instantly available.
Intuition Check
Fully integrated does not mean the airplane flies itself or that the system cannot be wrong. It means the flight-planning, navigation, display, and guidance functions share information and work together.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft’s fully integrated flight management system flew the arrival, descent, and approach with the autopilot and autothrottle coordinated throughout.
Example Sentence 2
Fully integrated flight management systems automatically update the descent path when the pilot accepts a new routing from air traffic control.