Then tell the information you found out to another group-mate using discourse markers and connectors from the Appendix.

Look at the picture. What type of cockpit is this? Prove your answer.

(http://f01.cdn.avsim.su/forum/uploads/monthly_01_2011/post-29950-0-50304900-1294750946_thumb.jpg)

Look at cockpits A and B. Compare them using supporting questions.

1. Which one is a glass cockpit?

2. What is the difference between the glass cockpit and a conventional one?

3. Which one is newer / more advantageous?

A (http://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/b-1/ images/060707-f-1234s-009.jpg)

B (http://aviationglossary.blogspot.com/)

Now read the text, answer the questions above and share the information from the text with one of your group-mate.

Glass Cockpit

A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit with electronic (digital) instrument displays. While a traditional cockpit relies on numerous mechanical gauges to display information, a glass cockpit uses several displays driven by flight management systems, which can be adjusted to display flight information as needed. This simplifies aircraft operation and navigation and allows pilots to focus only on the most essential information. Aircraft displays and the sensors that feed them have modernized. Traditional gyroscopic flight instruments have been replaced by electronic systems and computers, improving reliability and reducing cost and maintenance.

Modern automation and displays have made the cockpit much more elegant, with far fewer individual dials. Advantages of the glass are numerous: cleaner appearance, larger artificial horizon, greater redundancy in case of failure, more flexible and accurate navigational options, programmability.

They are also popular with airline companies as they usually eliminate the need for a flight engineer.

In recent years the technology has become widely available in small aircraft. As aircraft operation becomes more dependent on glass cockpit systems, flight crews must be trained to deal with possible failures.

Study the pictures of glass cockpits. Which one would you prefer? Why? Discuss it with your partner. Give your reasons.

 

The Airbus A380 glass cockpit (http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/4004/ general0001.3/0_41e5e_71fca835_XL)

Diamond DA42 glass cockpit (http://aerodi.com/media/Diamond%20Twin %20Star%20glass%20cockpit.jpg)

Boeing 777 glass cockpit

(http://24x7x0.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/boeing_777_cockpit.jpg)

Prepare a report on modern technology in aviation. Say whether you agree that modern technology, increased automation and sophisticated equipment controlled by

Computers are considered as an advantage. Give your reasons.

Role-play the situations.

Situation 1

Student A is a pilot who flies an aircraft with a glass cockpit.

Student B asks him among other questions the following ones:

· what the advantages / disadvantages of it are;

· if it is more convenient to operate the aircraft equipped with glass cockpit comparing with conventional one;

· if it simplifies the pilot’s job or not and why;

· if it is reasonable to equip all aircraft with glass cockpits or not and why.