Technologically Advanced Aircraft Explained

As a beginner pilot, it’s important to develop good habits right from the get-go. This is made much easier when the very first aircraft you pilot is a high-quality, technically advanced model like the one you’ll fly as a professional. At Coast Flight Training, all trainees are given access to a Cirrus aircraft—categorized by the FAA as a technically advanced aircraft (TAA)—to help students avoid having to re-learn basic techniques, as they would have to do if they started on an inferior aircraft.

But what makes the Cirrus worthy of a TAA title? A TAA is equipped with, at least, a moving map display (to communicate real-time flight information to passengers using information from the navigation system), an IFR-approved GPS navigator and an autopilot (a mechanical, hydraulic or electrical system to guide a vehicle without human assistance). With these tools, a pilot can be more aware of his or her location, the terrain, weather and traffic in the area. Moreover, built-in redundancies in a TAA ensure that if one system fails, there is a second on hand to pick up the slack. In the Cirrus, a specialized avionics system in the cockpit keeps all this data organized and easily accessible by the pilot at all times via two displays: the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and the Multifunction Display (MFD). The MFD shows a range of useful information, including the following:

The moving map
Terrain
XM Weather
Traffic
Engine instrumentation
Checklists
Airport Information
XM Radio (when workload is low in cruise)
EVS Infrared Vision

In such a versatile and high-performing aircraft, passengers, crew and cargo stand a better chance of a safe, successful flight. Coast Flight trainees have access to all this technology right from the beginning—a unique experience for student pilots in San Diego that they can get only at Coast. Additionally, the entire Cirrus Transition Course can be completed in only 10-12 hours, which is easily manageable in a weekend!