Definition
A cockpit instrument arrangement in which flight, navigation, engine, and systems information is displayed on one or more electronic screens rather than on individual mechanical gauges.
Plain English
A cockpit where the instruments are shown on digital screens instead of separate round dials.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight and cockpit familiarization when checking that the electronic displays power up, show the expected information, and are readable.
Derivation
Called 'glass' because the displays are large flat screens behind glass, replacing the traditional panel of round mechanical gauges (sometimes called 'steam gauges').
Why Pilots Care
Glass panels present information differently from traditional gauges, so pilots must train specifically on the system installed in their aircraft. Power, brightness, and database currency also become preflight items that did not exist with mechanical instruments.
Intuition Check
Do not read “glass-panel” as a panel made of glass. In aviation, it means an instrument panel that uses electronic screens.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot powered up the glass-panel displays to check that all flight and engine information appeared correctly before start.
Example Sentence 2
Training in glass-panel aircraft requires learning to interpret the integrated displays rather than scanning multiple gauges.