Definition
The selectable settings on an electronic flight display or moving map that control which features are shown on the screen, such as airspace boundaries, terrain, weather, traffic, airports, navigation aids, and special use airspace. The pilot turns layers on or off to tailor the map to the phase of flight and current workload.
Plain English
The on/off choices that decide what shows up on your cockpit map. You pick what you want to see and hide the rest.
Context Anchor
Seen when using panel-mounted avionics, a tablet app, or another electronic map to review airspace, routes, and nearby restrictions before or during a flight.
Why Pilots Care
Proper use keeps special use airspace boundaries visible so pilots can avoid restricted areas without distraction.
Analogy
It is like turning layers on or off in a phone map. If the traffic layer is off, traffic still exists, but the map may not show it to you.
Intuition Check
Do not assume map display options change the real airspace or the legal requirements. They only change what your screen shows, so a hidden item can still matter to the flight.
Example Sentence 1
Before the cross-country, she adjusted the map display options to show special use airspace and terrain shading.
Example Sentence 2
Changing map display options to track-up orientation made it easier to see the MOA boundary relative to the aircraft position.