What does a pilot see when flying?

Pilots are responsible for the safe operation of aircraft and the safety of their passengers. They need to constantly monitor various instruments, gauges, systems, and visual cues during flight to ensure everything is working properly. Here is an overview of the key things a pilot sees and pays attention to when flying.

Table of Contents

Inside the Cockpit

The cockpit of an aircraft contains a vast array of instruments and controls that provide pilots with the information and capabilities they need to fly the plane. While cockpit layouts vary somewhat between different aircraft models, most contain the following key components:

Primary flight displays (PFDs) – Show aircraft attitude, speed, altitude, vertical speed, and other key parameters.
Navigation displays (NDs) – Show route, groundspeed, weather, and other navigational information.
Engine instruments – Display engine RPM, temperature, fuel flow, oil pressure, and other engine parameters.

Flight management systems – Automate many flight tasks and display flight plan routing.
Autopilot controls – Allow pilots to program automated control of heading, altitude, speed, and other factors.
Communications and audio controls – For contacting air traffic control and listening to weather/warning systems.

Warning systems – Alert pilots to potential issues like low fuel, engine problems, door seals, and more.
Mode control panel – For controlling what information the PFDs and NDs display.
Transponder – Transmits aircraft identification code to air traffic control radar systems.

Altimeters – Show aircraft pressure altitude.
Compass – Indicates aircraft magnetic heading direction.

While this may seem like a dizzying array of information, pilots develop deep familiarity with the location and purpose of each cockpit component through extensive training. Modern cockpits are also designed to optimize workflow and information accessibility when flying.

Outside Views

Pilots also need to divide their attention between scanning instruments and looking outside the aircraft. Key exterior views include:

The forward view out the front windshield, allowing the pilot to see other aircraft, the horizon, and upcoming terrain/obstacles.
Side windows, which help the pilot maintain proper orientation, spot other planes, and see parts of the aircraft like the wings.

Downward visibility, which assists with tracking altitude above terrain and lining up with the runway on approach.

Pilots try to maximize exterior visibility by keeping the windshield clean and adjusting seat height. They also stay vigilant about potential visual obstacles like rain, fog, or sometimes even fingerprints on the glass.

Instrument Scanning

Actively monitoring and cross-checking key instruments is essential for situational awareness and safety. Some instruments pilots regularly scan include:

Attitude indicator – Shows pitch (nose up/down) and bank (wing angle left/right) angles. Critical for maintaining proper orientation.
Airspeed indicator – Displays aircraft speed through the air. Pilots need to maintain proper airspeed for climb, cruise, approach, and maneuvers.
Altimeter – Indicates altitude above sea level. Important for adhering to assigned altitudes from air traffic control.

Vertical speed indicator – Shows rate of climb or descent in feet per minute. Helps pilots ascent/descent at the desired rates.
Heading indicator – Displays aircraft direction relative to magnetic north. Enables pilots to steer accurate courses.
Engine gauges – Instruments like RPM, exhaust gas temperature, oil pressure, and fuel flow need monitoring to detect developing engine issues.

Navigation equipment – Pilots confirm proper operation of radios, GPS, weather radar, and other systems.

Through repetitious instrument scans at regular intervals, pilots remain intimately aware of all major aircraft systems and flight parameters. This allows them to quickly detect and respond to any abnormal indications.

Radio Communications

Listening to and communicating over radios is another key aspect of a pilot’s duties. Main radio uses include:

Communicating with air traffic control for clearances, instructions, and traffic advisories.
Obtaining updated weather information from automated weather stations at airports.
Contacting airline company dispatch to coordinate flight plans and receive company information.

Talking to airline maintenance personnel if any mechanical issues arise in flight.
Communicating with the cabin crew about the flight’s progress and any turbulence or airport delays.

Pilots develop a highly tuned sense of listening vigilance from constantly filtering through radio chatter to pick out instructions relevant to their specific flight.

View from Different Phases of Flight

While flying generally involves monitoring a consistent set of instruments and exterior views, specific phases of flight bring greater emphasis to certain visual cues and indicators. For example:

Pre-flight – Pilots visually inspect the exterior and interior of the plane, verifying airworthiness.
Taxi – Greater focus is placed on runway signs, ground markings, and airport signage to navigate to and from the runway.

Takeoff – Requires alignment on runway centerline along with cross-checking key performance indicators like engine power and airspeed.
Climb – Close monitoring of vertical speed, plus angle of climb and bank for turns to assigned headings/altitudes.
Cruise – Autopilot is often used for smoother flight, but instruments still need routine scanning to ensure stability.

Descent – Vertical speed indicator and altimeter become more critical for a controlled descent.
Approach and landing – Visual cues like the runway, precision approach lighting, and glide path indicators take on elevated importance.

Being intimately familiar with the unique demands of each flight phase allows pilots to effectively prioritize their attention.

Workload Management

A key part of a pilot’s job is managing their cognitive workload. Attention needs to be effectively divided between scanning instruments, communications, exterior awareness, automatic flight systems oversight, and planning ahead.

Pilots use various strategies to manage workload like:

Not programming complicated flight management system procedures at very low altitudes when their attention should be focused outside on the runway.

Declining non-essential radio calls from air traffic control when preparing for high-workload phases like takeoff and landing.
Delegating cockpit tasks during high workload to other pilots or autopilot systems.
Completing checklists and planning activities during less intensive cruise flight.

Declaring emergencies when workloads become unmanageable, which removes other requirements and allows sole focus on flying.

Effective workload management maximizes flight safety by ensuring pilots stay focused on the most immediately important tasks.

Automation Management

Modern airliners incorporate sophisticated autopilot and automation systems that can control aircraft navigation, engines, flight path, and more. However, pilots still need to actively monitor these systems by:

Cross-checking automation programming.
Verifying autopilot actions match their intentions.
Not become over-reliant on automation.

Taking manual control when required.

Vigilant automation oversight is critical, as incorrect autopilot inputs can quickly lead to dangerous situations. Pilots maintain engagement with automation systems through constant system checking and instrument scanning.

External Hazards

In addition to monitoring their own aircraft, pilots also keep a sharp lookout for external hazards including:

Other aircraft – Constant vigilance and radio communication are essential to seeing and avoiding other planes.
Terrain – Especially on visual approaches, pilots ensure adequate clearance from rising terrain or obstacles.
Weather – Detecting severe weather like thunderstorms and turbulence allows pilots to reroute as needed for safety.

Birds and wildlife – Bird strikes are an ever-present hazard, so pilots try to spot and avoid flocks near airports.

Continuously assessing external conditions allows pilots to identify and steer clear of situations that could endanger the aircraft.

The View from the Passenger’s Perspective

To passengers seated in the airline cabin, pilots may appear to have a simple straightforward job of flying the plane and talking occasionally over the intercom. However, they are actually processing a complex array of visual cues, instrument data, and mental workloads as part of every single flight. Next time you board a plane, know that the pilots are hard at work actively monitoring dozens of systems and variables to deliver the smoothest, safest flight possible.

Conclusion

Flying an aircraft involves continual processing of information from instruments, visuals, automation systems, radios, procedures, checklists, and more. Pilots develop specialized skills for managing this data flow and remaining alert to hazards through extensive training and experience. While the cockpit view may look overwhelming to passengers, pilots have mastered the demands through years of practice and natural aptitude. The ability to continuously scan this data and respond accordingly is what allows pilots to exercise masterful control of their complex aircraft and provide safe, professional flight operations.