Cockpits on display

Larger, and eventually, bendable, flight displays use commercial technology for both new production and retrofit applications.

Boeing and Airbus may still be fighting over whether big is better in the battle between the 787 and A380, but in the world of flight displays there is no doubt that big-as in generous glass across the cockpit-truly is better.

If cockpit crews are not already salivating at the prospect of 15-in LCDs in the 787-one in the center console for emulation of the control display units plus four others spanning the front cockpit-they will be once they see how the displays reduce pilot workload and improve situational awareness.