CockpitDisplaySystem

Cockpit Display System, often abbreviated as CDS, is an avionics subsystem that presents information to the flight crew through electronic displays. It consolidates primary flight information, navigation, engine and systems data, and other critical indicators into a cohesive set of screens and panels. In modern glass cockpits, the CDS integrates data from the flight management system, autopilot, engine control units, and other onboard systems to provide situational awareness and decision support.

The CDS architecture typically comprises display units such as primary flight displays and navigation displays, as well as multifunction displays and sometimes head-up displays. It uses display processors, data buses and networks (including ARINC 429/664 and contemporary high-speed networks), and a cockpit display management software suite. Systems may be centralized or distributed across multiple redundant channels to ensure fault tolerance, with features like hot-swappable displays and redundant processing paths to maintain operability in case of component failures.

Functions provided by the CDS include presenting essential flight data (attitude, airspeed, altitude, flight path), navigation and situational awareness tools, weather and traffic information, engine and system status, and alerting and warning messages. The human–machine interface relies on standardized symbology and color coding, while crew interaction is facilitated through control panels, cursor devices, knobs, or touch-sensitive inputs. CDS often interfaces with ancillary displays and may be integrated with a heads-up display to support pilot visibility.

Safety and certification considerations for the CDS cover software and hardware processes under aviation standards such as DO-178C and DO-254, along with rigorous fault-tolerance, redundancy, monitoring, and fault-management features. The CDS has evolved from mechanical gauges to integrated glass cockpit systems and remains a central component of both commercial and military aircraft cockpit designs.