Have any of you flown the glass yet? I've seen and read a lot about the Avidyne, G1000, and Chelton systems. With just this information, I've been thinking that I'd prefer the G1000 (at least when they get the integrated AP operational).
I'm interested in your opinions, especially those of you with experience with glass.
Sounds like you've been reading a lot of really old articles. Avidyne was used mostly on Cirrus planes around 2003-04, but then they switched to "Perspective" which is their own version of the G1000. Most everyone else started with the G1000 in 2004. Chelton never really took off.
Also, the G1000 with the integrated GFC 700 autopilot has been installed on most new airplanes since 2007, so it's been operational for quite some time! They're now on the second generation, the
G1000 NXi which has faster processing and adds a map into the HSI on the PFD.
Garmin also certified a retrofit glass package called the G500/G600. No autopilot, but it's a retrofit so many of those planes already had autopilots.
Last year, they updated the G500/G600 to the
G500 TXi/G600 TXi which has a more flexible display configuration.
They also now have
GFC 500 and
GFC 600 retrofit autopilots.
Aspen Avionics was their main competition, and the Aspen got popular mainly because you could install a PFD and an MFD separately, making it easier to jump in one foot at a time. Garmin has "returned fire" with the
G5, a unit that can act as an AI or an HSI.
Dynon Avionics has also jumped into the fray, certifying their formerly-experimental
Skyview HDX system for retrofit.
No matter how you slice it, flying with glass is nice. It's easier for your brain to process, and gives you a lot more information than the older "steam gauges". Since being a pilot is all about making decisions, having more and better information to make those decisions with is excellent.