On 16 Apr 2006 23:44:47 -0700, wrote:

We used to mechanical instruments when we learnt fly in school. Whether
it is habit we can not accept digital meters. For example quartz
crystal watch, we almost accept it now. There few people using
mechanical watch. I think it is developing direction for digital
meters.
I just wondered which kinds of digital meters, electric analog or
numeric meter, do pilot can accept. Or we can accept an electric analog
meter with digital number in it?

just as a bum pilot I prefer mechanical needle instrument displays
rather than digital numeric displays.

when the value is changing rapidly the numeric display can be
impossible to read while the needle display can always be read.

when the value is not stable the numeric display has the least
significant digit in constant change which can be needlessly
distracting.

the colour arc behind the needle can tell me instantly whether the
value is within an acceptable range.

I'm not against digital displays at all but I prefer the dual analog
and digital displays so that I can quickly glance at a value under all
situations. if it is stable I would probably use the digits. if it is
in motion I would use the analog needle/bar graph display.

remember as well that in real world aviation environments the
instruments get cold enough at altitude to get condensation everywhere
and in our summers will need to keep working in 45 degree celcius
heat. it isnt good enough to just make instruments, you have to make
instruments that will keep on working in all situations or you may
kill people. kill people and your markets will evaporate overnight.

btw it would be really nice to see the chinese focus on quality!!!!
it is really frustrating to see our industries move to china then to
see the inexorable drop in quality in the subsequent products.
it would also be nice to see china contribute to the development of
new technology rather than the continual debasement of well
established levels of quality.
I have used a chinese made 25mm micrometer now for 15 years which is
superbly made and proves that china can produce quality goods.
unfortunetely flip over the myriad number of broken items these days
and you will see "made in china" on the bottom. this has to change!

in aviation, junk that malfunctions is totally unacceptable.

Stealth Pilot
an australian pilot.