In article .com,
"Le Chaud Lapin" wrote:

Smitty Two wrote:
The first word in the name of this particular newsgroup is
*recreational.* We like to FLY. Flying involves considerably more than
being above the surface of the earth, moving from one place to another,
and looking out the window. Autopilots are for airliners. Go ahead and
give me a glass cockpit with ANALOG displays, but make sure I have to
tap on the simulated faceplates covering the simulated needles once in a
while to keep them moving. And leave the damn stick alone, you pesky
meddling heretic. (Insert emoticon representing friendly warning snarl
here.)

Ok, I have a confession to make. I have wild dreams of making my own
flying "vehicle". Yes I know, I'm a lune, but being a lune has never
stopped a man from dreaming.

In such flying vehicle, I had always intended to add new
pseudo-digital, mechanical controls controls to compensate for getting
rid of most of the conventionaly mechanical analog controls. Everytime
I see the inside of a conventional aircraft, I can't help but think
that the whole thing could be done so much lighter, cheaper, etc.

-Le Chaud Lapin-

Let's be careful with our choice of words, lest we cast murkiness
instead of illumination.

Flight *instruments* monitor what's going on. Those things display
airspeed, altitude, attitude, heading, rate of climb. Engine
*instruments* tell us what's happening with the engine, or at least part
of that info. At a minimum, RPM and oil temperature, and often times
many other parameters.

Additional instruments include those for communication and navigation.

Now we have engine *controls* like the throttle, mixture, and carb heat,
at a minimum.

And then flight *controls* which are really the only things strictly
required to fly. Those are the movable surfaces of the plane and the
mechanical linkages that the pilot manipulates in order to move those
surfaces, and hence *control* the planes attitude, and, thus, it's path
through space.

Now, others on this board will doubtless contend with some of *my* word
choices and explanations, and I readily concede that I'm not even close
to being among the most experienced or knowledgeable pilots in the
virtual room.

Nevertheless, in the English language, and amongst pilots, there is a
substantial difference between a *control* and an *instrument.* I'm
guessing that you're using the word "control" when you mean "instrument."

Many pilots love the simplicity, elegance, and nostalgia of "steam
gauges" -- the old, individual, three dimensional, panel-mounted
instruments. And, many also have no objection to updating some of that
stuff with LCD displays, particularly if the newer technology can do the
same job with substantial savings of cost, time, weight, and complexity,
while offering increased reliability.

In *that* endeavor, you have my blessing. But I'd restrain the idea of
pushing a left turn button on the panel that sends a radio signal to
some little motors in the wings and tail to make the control surfaces
move, to your nighttime "dreaming."