In the aviation world we are an old-fashioned bunch, slow to change, but we are not alone. For example, color LCD displays and touch screens are common in modern cars, but most cars still retain lots of separate gauges, dials, buttons, etc. The effect can be attractive and efficient, but the combination reminds me of a modern flat-panel display installed alongside the old-fashioned steam gauges in a Bonanza. Only a very few modern designs for for true all-glass displays.
Here is shot of the dashboard of a C4 Cactus, a relatively new small crossover car from French carmaker Citroën. Some have compared the design to the company's classic 2CV, not because it looks anything like the old snail, but because C4 Cactus uses some pretty daring design decisions to simply the design to cut weight and cost. Notably, almost all the displays and controls are contained in one 7" touch screen and a second smaller display. The result is significant savings in kilos and euros as well as a very clean look. How long until we feel comfortable enough with our digital displays to go that way in our homebuilt aircraft?
PS--The huge glove compartment is made possible but moving the airbags to the headliner above the windshield...they deploy down not up.
Here is shot of the dashboard of a C4 Cactus, a relatively new small crossover car from French carmaker Citroën. Some have compared the design to the company's classic 2CV, not because it looks anything like the old snail, but because C4 Cactus uses some pretty daring design decisions to simply the design to cut weight and cost. Notably, almost all the displays and controls are contained in one 7" touch screen and a second smaller display. The result is significant savings in kilos and euros as well as a very clean look. How long until we feel comfortable enough with our digital displays to go that way in our homebuilt aircraft?
PS--The huge glove compartment is made possible but moving the airbags to the headliner above the windshield...they deploy down not up.