← All explained questions · Flight Instruments and Avionics

What does a primary flight display (PFD) in a glass cockpit present?

Choices

Only a moving map of the route
The moving map is typically shown on the multifunction display, not the PFD.
✓ Attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, and vertical speed on one screencorrect
The PFD consolidates the primary flight instruments onto a single display.
Only engine temperatures and pressures
Engine data usually appears on the MFD, not the PFD.
Only the transponder code
The transponder code is a small element, not the purpose of the PFD.

Why

A primary flight display presents attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, and vertical speed together on one screen, backed by solid-state AHRS and air data sensors that require electrical power.

FAA source: PHAK Ch. 8browse the reference library →

This is taught in Avionics: Glass Cockpit, Transponder and GPS — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Try 10 more questions on this topic →Free, no signup needed to start.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question. Reviewed by a panel of three CFIs + AI review.