Integration of Charting into the Glass Cockpit

Pilots of aircraft flown in instrument conditions, during periods of darkness, or restricted visibility are not provided with information that is essential to maintain the situational awareness required for the safe operation of their aircraft. The pilot's critical need for this information is neither widely perceived nor being quickly acted upon. This paper describes these information deficiencies and suggests methods of utilizing the pictorial display of electronic charting information, coupled with a precision navigation device such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), to satisfy this critical need.