When I went through my G1000 training, I did not really became a fan of the inset feature. To describe it briefly, let’s say that the inset is like a mini Multi Function Display (MFD) which is displayed in the bottom left corner of the Primary Flight Display (PFD). It contains a moving map, and possibly terrain, stormscope, traffic, almost everything that is normally displayed on the large MFD. I could not see why using it, except may be in case of failure of the MFD, if the reversionary mode is not satisfactory. Apart from that, it looked to me like disturbing clutter on my clean PFD.

When flying IFR, most of my time is spent looking at the PDF, and particularly to the super large attitude indicator. The standard “T” scanning is replaced by a “cross” scanning: the horizontal line marked by the two yellow bars contains (from left to right) all the pitch related parameters: speed – pitch – glide-slope if active – altitude – vertical rate. The vertical line passing through the sky pointer contains all roll related parameters: roll-angle, slip-skid, heading, HSI and RMI.

Looking at the MFD brings additional information: general orientation via the moving map, what the next segment of the flight plan looks like, wind, and additional information like terrain or stormscope. Even if I’m able to fly using “raw data” only, I frequently check the MFD, to make sure that there is not something wrong in my situation awareness. Getting winds reading also makes flying a lot easier, particularly in holdings, or IFR approaches.

Why condensating that valuable information from the MFD in the super-tiny inset on the PFD ? I got the answer when flying back from Bern to Geneva, in IMC, with no auto-pilot (I knew it before the flight, but I had an instructor on the right seat, reducing my workload). There was light turbulence, but it was sufficient to make flying the aircraft a full-time job. Because of its long wings, the DA40 is very turbulence sensitive, and permanent corrections were required to maintain it straight and level. I had to focus on the PFD more intensively than usual, I found looking at the MFD slightly disturbing.

Our passenger, who also took the photos, suggested to use the inset. Doing so, I got wind reading and route display on the PFD. Looking at it on the PFD is much more easy than looking at the MFD, because the later is farther away. Looking at the MFD requires to turn my head slightly, and re-focus my eyes on it. As the inset is part of the PFD, reading it is much easier.

As a result of having the inset on the PFD, my scanning was more efficient, and my flying got a bit smoother… as much as the updrafts and downdrafts in this IMC layer allowed for.

Read more:
See all pictures of this flight in this photo gallery.
G1000: Get rid of the six-pack
G1000 transition tips
Gauges, Glass, and Ergonomy
Is the G1000 really a step forward ?
G1000, ADF, DME and dual ILS display