Appendix A predominant enough to confer the quick-glance sense information, but not so predominant as to be distracting when operating normally near those speeds (for example, stabilized approach operating between stall warning and flap limit speeds).
A.4.5 If airspeed trend or acceleration cues are associated with the speed scale, vertically oriented moving scale airspeed indications should have higher numbers at the top so that increasing energy or speed results in upward motion of the cue. Speed, altitude, or vertical rate trend indicators should have appropriate hysteresis and damping to be useful and non-distracting; however, damping may result in erroneous airspeed when accelerating. In this case, it may be necessary to use acceleration data in the algorithms to compensate for the error. The evaluation should include turbulence expected in service.
A.4.6 Airspeed scale graduations in 5-knot increments with graduations labeled at 20-knot intervals are acceptable. In addition, a means to rapidly identify a change in airspeed (for example, speed trend vector or acceleration cue) should be provided on moving scale tapes. If trend or acceleration cues are used, or a numeric present value readout is incorporated in the airspeed display, scale markings at 10-knot intervals are acceptable.
A.4.7 Minimum altimeter graduations should be in 100-foot increments with a present value readout, or 50-foot increments with a present value index only. Due to operational requirements, it is expected that airplanes without either 20-foot scale graduations, or a readout of present value, will not be eligible for Category II low visibility operation with barometrically determined decision heights.
A.4.8 Altimeters present special design problems in that: (1) the ratio of total usable range to required resolution is a factor of 10 greater than for airspeed or attitude, and (2) the consequences of losing sense of context of altitude can be detrimental. The combination of altimeter scale length and markings, therefore, should be adequate to allow sufficient resolution for precise manual altitude tracking in level flight, as well as enough scale length and markings to reinforce the flightcrew’s sense of altitude and to allow sufficient look-ahead room to adequately predict and accomplish level-off. When providing low altitude awareness, it may be helpful to include radio altimeter information on the scale so that it is visually related to the ground position.
A.5 Low- and High-Airspeed Awareness Cues.
A.5.1 Section 25.1541(a)(2) states the airplane must contain: “Any additional information, instrument markings, and placards required for the safe operation if there are unusual design, operating, or handling characteristics.” The part 25 regulations related to instrument systems and their markings were not developed with modern day electronic displays in mind. Consequently, these electronic displays are considered an “unusual design characteristic” according to § 25.1541(a)(2), and may require additional marking to warrant safe operation. In particular, it is considered necessary to incorporate additional markings on electronic airspeed displays in the form of low- and high-speed A-3
Appendix A awareness cues to provide pilots the same type of “quick glance” airspeed awareness that was an intrinsic feature of round dial instruments.
A.5.2 Low-speed awareness cues should provide adequate visual cues to the pilot that the airspeed is below the reference operating speed for the airplane configuration (that is, weight, flap setting, landing gear position, etc.). Similarly, high-speed awareness cues should provide adequate visual cues to the pilot that the airspeed is approaching an established upper limit that may result in a hazardous operating condition. Consider the following guidance when developing airspeed awareness cues:
A.5.2.1 Take into account all independent parameters that may affect the speed against which protection is being provided. This is most important in the low speed regime where all transport category airplanes have a wide range of stall speeds due to multiple flap/slat configurations and potentially large variations in gross weight.
A.5.2.2 The cues should be readily distinguishable from other markings such as V-speeds and speed targets (bugs). The cues should indicate not only the boundary value of the speed limit, but must clearly distinguish between the normal speed range and the unsafe speed range beyond those limiting values (§ 25.1545). Since the moving scale display does not provide any inherent visual cue of the relationship of present airspeed to low or high airspeed limits, many electronic displays use an amber and red bar adjacent to the airspeed tape to provide this quick-glance low/high speed awareness. The preferred colors to be used are amber or yellow to indicate that the airspeed has decreased below a reference speed that provides adequate maneuver margin, changing to red at the stall warning speed.
The speeds at which the low-speed awareness bands start should be chosen as appropriate to the airplane configuration and operational flight regime. For example, low-speed awareness cues for approach and landing should be shown starting at VREF with a tolerance of +0 and –5 knots.
Some FAA approved systems use a pilot selectable operating speed “bug” at VREF supplemented by system-computed low speed cues that vary in color as airspeed decreases below certain multiples of the appropriate stall speed (for example, white below 1.3 VS, amber below 1.2 VS, and red below 1.1 VS). Consider the specific operating needs of other flight regimes when developing the criteria for the associated visual cue.
A.5.2.3 Low-speed awareness displays should be sensitive to load factor (g-sensitive) to enable the pilot to maintain adequate maneuver margins above stall warning in all phases of flight. The accuracy of this gsensitivity function should be verified by flight tests.
A.5.2.4 Flight tests should also be conducted in maneuvering flight and expected levels of turbulence to evaluate proper functioning of any damping routines incorporated into the low-speed awareness software. The level of damping should preclude nuisance/erratic movement of the low speed A-4
Appendix A cues during operation in turbulence but not be so high that it inhibits adequate response to accurately reflect changes in margins to stall warning and stall during maneuvering flight.
A.5.2.4.1 High speed awareness should be provided to prevent inadvertent excursions beyond limit speeds. Symbology should be provided to permit easy identification of flap and landing gear speed limits. A visual cue should be incorporated to provide adequate awareness of proximity to VMO. This awareness has been provided by amber bands, similar to the previously discussed low speed cues, and instantaneous airspeed displays that turn amber (or flash amber digits) as the closure rate to VMO increases beyond a value that sill provides adequate time for pilot corrective action to be taken without exceeding the limit speed.
A.5.2.4.2 The display requirements for airspeed awareness cues are in addition to other alerts associated with exceeding high and low speed limits, such as the stick shaker and aural overspeed warning.
A.6 Vertical Speed.
The display range of vertical speed (or rate of climb) indications should be consistent with the climb/descent performance capabilities of the airplane. If the resolution advisory (RA) is integrated with the primary vertical speed indication, the range of vertical speed indication should be sufficient to display the red and green bands for all TCAS RA information.
A.7 Flight Path Vector or Symbol.
A.7.1 The display of flight path vector (FPV or velocity vector) or flight path angle (FPA) cues on the primary flight display is not required, but may be included in many designs.
A.7.2 The FPV symbol can be especially useful on HUD applications. See paragraph F.5.4.5 of appendix F for HUD-specific FPV considerations.
A.7.3 The FPV or FPA indication may also be displayed on the head-down display (HDD). In some HDD and most HUD applications, the FPV or FPA is the primary control and tracking cue for controlling the airplane during most phases of flight. Even though an FPV or FPA indication may be used as a primary flight control parameter, the attitude pitch and roll symbols (that is, waterline or boresight and pitch scale), which are still required primary indications by § 25.1303, must still be prominently displayed. In dynamic situations, such as during recovery from an unusual attitude, constant availability of attitude indications is required.
A.7.4 If the FPV/FPA is used as the primary means to control the airplane in pitch and roll, the FPV/FPA system design should allow pilots to control and maneuver the airplane with a level of safety that is at least equal to traditional designs based on attitude (§ 25.1333(b)).
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Appendix A A.7.5 There may be existing airplane designs where the HUD provides a FPV presentation and the HDD provides a FPA presentation. However, mixture of the two different presentations is not recommended due to possible misinterpretation by the flightcrew.
The designs that were accepted were found to have the following characteristics:
correlation between the HUD FPV display and the primary flight display FPA display, consistent vertical axis presentation of FPV/FPA, and pilots’ ability to interpret and respond to the FPV and FPA similarly.
A.7.6 It should be easy and intuitive for the pilot to switch between FPV/FPA and attitude when necessary. The primary flight display of FPV/FPA symbology must not interfere with the display of attitude and there must always be attitude symbology at the top center of the pilot's primary field of view, as required by § 25.1321.
A.7.7 Airplane designs that display flight path symbology on the HUD and the HDD should use consistent symbol shapes (that is, the HUD FPV symbol looks like the HDD FPV).
A.7.8 In existing cases where an FPV is displayed head up and an FPA head down on an airplane, the symbols for each should not have the same shape. When different types of flight path indications may be displayed as head up and/or head down, the symbols should be easily distinguished to avoid any misinterpretation by the flightcrew. A mixture of the two types of flight path indications is not recommended due to possible misinterpretation by the flightcrew.
A.7.9 The normal FPV, the field-of-view limited FPV, and the caged FPV should each have a distinct appearance, so that the pilot is aware of the restricted motion or non-conformality.
A.7.10 Implementation of air mass-based FPV/FPA presentations should account for inherent limitations of air mass flight path computations.
A.7.11 Flight directors should provide some lateral movement to the lateral flight director guidance cue during bank commands.
A.7.12 To show compliance with §§ 25.1301(a), 25.1303(b)(5), and 25.143(b), the FPV/FPA FD design must— A.7.12.1 Not have any characteristics that may lead to oscillatory control inputs;
A.7.12.2 Provide sufficiently effective and salient cues to support all expected maneuvers in longitudinal, lateral, and directional axes, including recovery from unusual attitudes; and A.7.12.3 Not have any inconsistencies between cues provided on the HUD and HDD displays that may lead to pilot confusion or have adverse effects on pilot performance.
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Appendix A A.7.13 Performance and system safety requirements for flight guidance systems are found in the following ACs:
• AC 25.1329-1B, Change 1, Approval of Flight Guidance Systems.
• AC 120-28D, Criteria for Approval of Category III Weather Minima for Takeoff, Landing, and Rollout.
• AC 120-29A, Criteria for Approval of Category I and Category II Weather Minima for Approach.
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Appendix B APPENDIX B. POWERPLANT DISPLAYS B.1 General.
B.1.1 At the time § 25.1305 was adopted, flight deck powerplant displays were primarily a collection of dedicated, independent, full-time analog “round dial” type instruments.
Typically, there was one display for each required indication. Today, flight deck powerplant displays are primarily electronic displays integrated with other flight deck displays on a few relatively large electronic display spaces. Throughout this technological evolution, the FAA has used certification issue papers and other guidance material to assure that this new technology, with its increased potential for common faults and the challenges of effectively sharing display space, did not adversely impact the timely availability and independence of the powerplant information required to meet the intent of § 25.1305. This AC provides some of that guidance material.
B.1.2 To comply with one of the provisions of § 25.1305, a display should provide all the instrument functionality of a full-time, dedicated analog type instrument as intended when the rule was adopted. (See AC 20-88A, Guidelines on the Marking of Aircraft.)
The design flexibility and conditional adaptability of modern displays were not envisioned when § 25.1305 and § 25.1549 were initially adopted. In addition, the capabilities of modern control systems to automate and complement flightcrew functions were not envisioned. In some cases these system capabilities obviate the need for a dedicated full-time analog type instrument.
B.1.3 When making a compliance finding, all uses of the affected displays should be taken into consideration, including— B.1.3.1 Flight deck indications to support the approved operating procedures (§ 25.1585), B.1.3.2 Indications as required by the powerplant system safety assessments (§ 25.1309), and B.1.3.3 Indications required in support of the instructions for continued airworthiness (§ 25.1529).
Note: For example, compliance with § 25.1305(c)(3) for the engine N2 rotor was originally achieved by means of a dedicated, full time analog instrument. This provided the continuous monitoring capability required to—
• Support engine starting (for example, typically used to identify fuel on point);
• Support power setting (for example, sometimes used as primary or back up parameter);
• “Give reasonable assurance that those engine operating limitations that adversely affect turbine rotor structural integrity will not be exceeded in service” as required by § 25.903(d)(2);
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Appendix B
• Provide the indication of normal, precautionary, and limit operating values required by § 25.1549; as well as
• Support detection of unacceptable deterioration in the margin to operating limits and other abnormal engine operating conditions as required to comply with §§ 25.901,
25.1309, etc.
B.1.4 As technology evolved full authority digital engine controls (FADECs) were introduced. The FADECs were designed with the ability to monitor and control engine N2 rotor speed as required to comply with § 25.903(d)(2). Additionally, engine condition monitoring programs were introduced and used to detect unacceptable engine deterioration. Flight deck technology evolved such that indications could be displayed automatically to cover abnormal engine operating conditions. The combination of these developments obviated the need for a full time analog N2 rotor speed indication, in accordance with the guidance found in paragraph 6.3.3 of chapter 6 of this AC.
B.2 Design Guidelines.
B.2.1 Safety-related engine limit exceedances should be indicated in a clear and unambiguous manner. Flightcrew alerting is addressed in § 25.1322.
B.2.2 If an indication of significant thrust loss is provided, it should be presented in a clear and unambiguous manner.
B.2.3 In addition to the failure conditions listed in chapter 3 of this AC, the following design guidelines should be considered:
B.2.3.1 For single failures leading to the non-recoverable loss of any indications on an engine, sufficient indications should remain to allow continued safe operation of the engine. (See §§ 25.901(b)(2), 25.901(c), and
25.903(d)(2)).
B.2.3.2 No single failure could prevent the continued safe operation of more than one engine or require immediate action by any flightcrew member for continued safe operation. (See §§ 25.901(c), 25.903(b), and 25.1309(b)).
B.2.3.3 Engine indications needed during engine re-start should be readily available after an engine out event. (See §§ 25.901(b)(2), 25.901(c)
25.903(d)(2), 25.903(e), 25.1301, 25.1305, 25.1309, and paragraph 6.3.3 of chapter 6 of this AC).
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Appendix C APPENDIX C. DEFINITIONS C.1 Air Mass System:
An air mass-based system that provides a heading/airspeed/vertical velocity derived flight path presentation. It depicts the flight path through an air mass, will not account for air mass disturbances such as wind drift and windshear and, therefore, cannot be relied on to show the flight path relative to the earth’s surface.
C.2 Alert:
A generic term used to describe a flight deck indication meant to attract the attention of, and identify to the flightcrew, a non-normal operational or airplane system condition.
Warnings, cautions, and advisories are considered to be alerts.
C.3 Annunciation:
A visual, auditory, or tactile stimulus used to attract a flightcrew member’s attention.
C.4 Architecture:
The manner in which the components of a display or display system are organized and integrated.
C.5 Basic T:
The arrangement of primary flight information as required by § 25.1321(b), including attitude, airspeed, altitude, and direction information.
C.6 Brightness:
The perceived or subjective luminance. This should not be confused with luminance.
C.7 Bugs:
A symbol used to mark or reference other information such as heading, altitude, etc.
C.8 Catastrophic:
Failure conditions that result in multiple fatalities, usually with the loss of the airplane.
Note: In previous versions of § 25.1309 and the associated advisory material, a “catastrophic failure condition” was defined as a failure condition that would prevent continued safe flight and landing.
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Appendix C C.9 Chrominance:
The quality of a display image that includes both luminance and chromaticity and is a perceptual construct subjectively assessed by the human observer.
C.10 Chromaticity:
Color characteristic of a symbol or an image defined by its u’, v’ coordinates. (See Colorimetry, 3rd edition, Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage, CIE publication 15:2004.)
C.11 Clutter:
Excessive number and/or variety of symbols, colors, or other information on a display that may reduce flightcrew access or interpretation time, or decrease the probability of interpretation error.
C.12 Coasting Data:
Data that is not updated for a defined period of time.
C.13 Coding:
The use of assigning special meanings to some design element or characteristic (such as numbers, letters, symbols, auditory signals, colors, brightness, or variations in size) to represent information in a shorter or more convenient form.
C.14 Coding Characteristics:
Readily identifiable attributes commonly associated with a design element that provide special meaning and differentiate the design elements from each other, for example, size, shape, color, motion, location, etc.
C.15 Color Coding:
The structured use of color to convey specific information, call attention to information, or impose an organizational scheme on displayed information.
C.16 Command Information:
Displayed information directing a control action.
C.17 Compact Mode:
In display use, this most frequently refers to a single, condensed display presented in numeric format that is used during reversionary or failure conditions.
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Appendix C C.18 Conformal:
Refers to displayed graphic information that is aligned and scaled with the outside view.
C.19 Contrast Ratio:
• For head-up display: Ratio of the luminance over the background scene. (See SAE AS8055).
• For head-down display: Ratio of the total foreground luminance to the total background luminance.
C.20 Criticality:
Indication of the hazard level associated with a function, hardware, software, etc., considering abnormal behavior (of this function, hardware, software) alone, in combination, or in combination with external events.
C.21 Design Eye Position (DEP):
The position at each pilot’s station from which a seated pilot achieves the required combination of outside visibility and instrument scan. The DEP is a single point selected by the applicant that meets the requirements of §§ 25.773(d), 25.777(c), and
25.1321 for each pilot station. It is normally a point fixed in relation to the aircraft structure (neutral seat reference point) at which the midpoint of the pilot’s eyes should be located when seated at the normal position. The DEP is the principal dimensional reference point for the location of flight deck panels, controls, displays, and external vision.
C.22 Display Element:
A basic component of a display, such as a circle, line, or dot.
C.23 Display Refresh Rate:
The rate at which a display completely refreshes its image.
C.24 Display Resolution:
Size of the minimum element that can be displayed, expressed by the total number of pixels or dots per inch (or millimeter) of the display surface.
C.25 Display Response Time:
The time needed to change the information from one level of luminance to a different level of luminance. Display response time related to the intrinsic response (time linked to the electro-optic effect used for the display and the way to address it).
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Appendix C C.26 Display Surface/Screen:
The area of the display unit that provides an image.
C.27 Display System:
The entire set of avionic devices implemented to display information to the flightcrew.
This is also known as an electronic display system.
C.28 Display Unit:
Equipment that is located in the flight deck, in view of the flightcrew, that is used to provide visual information. Examples include a color head-down display and a head-up display projector and combiner.
C.29 Earth Referenced System:
An inertial-based system that provides a display of flight path through space. In a descent, an earth-referenced system indicates the relationship between the flight path and the terrain and/or the artificial horizon.
C.30 Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS):
An electronic means to provide a display of the forward external scene topography (the natural or manmade features of a place or region, especially in a way to show their relative positions and elevation) through the use of imaging sensors such as millimeter wave radiometry, millimeter wave radar, and low light level image intensifying.
C.31 Enhanced Vision System (EVS):
An electronic means to provide a display of the forward external scene topography through the use of imaging sensors, such as forward looking infrared, millimeter wave radiometry, millimeter wave radar, and low light level image intensifying.
Note: An EFVS is an EVS that is intended to be used for instrument approaches under the provisions of 14 CFR 91.175(l) and (m), and must display the imagery with instrument flight information on a head-up display.
C.32 Extremely Improbable:
An extremely improbable failure condition is so unlikely that it is not anticipated to occur during the entire operational life of all airplanes of one type.
C.33 Extremely Remote:
An extremely remote failure condition is not anticipated to occur to each airplane during its total life, but may occur a few times when considering the total operational life of all airplanes of that type.
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Appendix C C.34 Eye Reference Position (ERP):
A single spatial position located at or near the center of the head-up display (HUD) eye box. The HUD ERP is the primary geometrical reference point for the HUD.
C.35 Failure:
An occurrence that affects the operation of a component, part, or element, such that it can no longer function as intended (this includes both loss of function and malfunction).
Errors may cause failures but are not considered to be failures.
C.36 Failure Condition:
A condition having an effect on the airplane and/or its occupants, either direct or consequential, which is caused or contributed to by one or more failures or errors, considering flight phase and relevant adverse operational or environmental conditions, or external events.
C.37 Field-of-View (FOV):
The angular extent of the display that can be seen by either pilot with the pilot seated at either pilots station.
C.38 Flicker:
An undesired, rapid temporal variation in the display luminance of a symbol, group of symbols, or a luminous field. It can cause discomfort for the viewer (such as headaches and irritation).
C.39 Flight Deck Design Philosophy:
A high level description of the design principles that guide the designer and ensure a consistent and coherent interface is presented to the flightcrew.
C.40 Flight Path Angle (FPA):
Also known as a Flight Path Symbol, Climb, Dive Angle, or “Caged” (on the Attitude Indicator Centerline) Flight Path Vector. A dynamic symbol displayed on an attitude display that depicts the vertical angle relative to the artificial horizon, in the pitch axis, that the airplane is moving. A flight path angle is the vector resultant of the forward velocity and the vertical velocity. For most designs, the FPA is earth referenced, though some use air mass vectors. Motion of the FPA on the attitude display is in the vertical (pitch) axis only with no lateral motion.
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