These exact differences exist between analog and digital users, and even more so with the advent of Software Defined Radio.

Some will adapt, some won’t, there is room for all of us.

it’s not about “cool factor” or video gaming experience (although it is for some) and it’s not about no longer being a ‘real’ pilot, it’s about being more efficient with your workload. Kinda hard to spot a point on the horizon when you’re in a cloud but it sure doesn’t stop one from flying that way when VFR, even with a glass panel.

I fly with steam gauges and like thwm fine (except when the vacuum pump failed on a cross-country–VFR fortunately) and I’m fast with an E6B and charts, but I hate giving up my 430w (when I fly someone else’s plane). I still fly with my finger on a chart and time navigation from point to point even when I’m on autopilot (sometimes especailly because I’m on autopilot!)

It’s about accuracy and efficiency. Having lots of accurate information that’s easy to read in one location is much easier and useful than scanning a large panel with a variety of gauges that give approximate information. This becomes even more important in hard IFR.

Of course, I’d still love to go low and slow in a restored Jenny with minimum instrumentation for the “real” flying experience, but when I need to get somewhere I want to get there as safely and efficiently as I can and I’ll use any tools that will improve them.

If you want more “real pilot” bragging rights try nailing your heading and your altitude, and grease the target spot on the runway centerline when landing. Oh, and communicate correctly and clearly, especially in non-towered airspace.

I’d like to see the gadget freaks at AOPA Pilot answer the following question when they write articles extolling the wonderful virtues of the electronic instruments. After spending tens of thousands of dollars on “glass displays” (even for the vaunted new “low cost” stuff from Aspen Avionics), what flying operation can you do with the airplane that you couldn’t do with the less expensive round dials?

I already know that the answer is: none. But that answer doesn’t make the advocates happy and doesn’t give them anything to write about in their articles. I guess AOPA no longer has a mission to try and keep flying costs as low as possible. They seem to have decided to no longer represent anyone who can’t plunk down $15K or $20K at the drop of a hat for any new gadget (even if the gadget doesn’t provide any new operational utility).

When I started flying I couln’t keep my eyes off the instruments. As I gained experience, i learned to look outside the cockpit and only glance at the sectional and the instruments occasionally. Of course, my flying improved dramatically. Instead of wandering all over the sky chasing the needles I started navigating by picking a spot on the horizon and flying to it.

My GPS software has a PFD and although it is fascinating, I fear I will revert to wandering through the sky if I concentrate on it too much. I still use the six-pack as my flight reference.

I may change my mind as I progress through instrument training, but for now I can look at a particular instrument and process the information much quicker than I can extract it from the busy PFD.

Steam guages have been around for a long time. They still work for me. I hope they are around as long as I am able to fly.

Imagine applying the same philosophy to exercise and running. Why not build an autonomous, GPS-controlled robot that can do your 3-mile morning jog for you while you sit on the couch and eat a doughnut?