Focus question: How can the Cirrus avionics help a pilot understand position, direction, and the planned flight path?
Lesson Overview
Learning Targets
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
Distinguish the PFD, MFD, and touchscreen control interfaces.
Use basic navigation information to identify aircraft position and a destination.
Use simple heading/altitude guidance and introductory autopilot functions.
Instructor Setup
Create a simple short route between nearby airports or a nearby waypoint.
Begin airborne or at a runway departure point depending on student experience.
Keep weather simple so the lesson remains focused on avionics.
30-Minute Plan
Session Timeline
0–5 min
Avionics orientation
Identify the PFD, MFD, moving map, GTC touchscreen controls, heading bug, altitude selection, and autopilot panel.
5–12 min
Instructor demonstration
Demonstrate selecting or viewing a simple destination, reading bearing/distance, setting heading/altitude targets, and engaging a basic autopilot mode.
12–23 min
Student navigation
Student follows a simple route using the moving map and flight displays.
23–27 min
Autopilot practice
Use a basic heading or altitude mode, then disconnect and resume manual flight.
27–30 min
Debrief
Student explains current position, intended direction, altitude target, and what the autopilot was controlling.
Student Mission
Flight Tasks
Identify the airplane's position on the moving map.
Select or follow a simple waypoint/destination provided by the instructor.
Set a heading bug and altitude target.
Use the displays to determine whether the aircraft is moving toward the intended route.
Demonstrate a basic autopilot mode and safely return to manual control.
Completion Check
Ready to Move On?
Can distinguish PFD and MFD functions.
Can interpret basic moving-map information.
Can identify heading and altitude targets.
Understands that autopilot manages selected tasks but does not replace pilot monitoring.
Instructor decision: Repeat, practice during Free Flight, or continue to the next instructor-led lesson.
Guide basis: The SR7x Home uses G3000 displays representing Cirrus Perspective Touch+ avionics, GTC touchscreen interfaces, navigation displays, and a GFC500 autopilot interface.
