There are several drawbacks to the use of flightworthy avionics in training devices, especially in Part Task Trainers where initial cost is a primary consideration. This paper will present a comprehensive life cycle analysis of flightworthy versus simulated "glass cockpit" instrumentation in FULL FLIGHT simulation, MAINTENANCE training, COCKPIT PROCEDURES training and PART TASK training applications for devices performing equivalent functions.

Initial cost, maintainability, reliability and orientation of the user community will be addressed as part of the life cycle analysis. The pros and cons of breaking the link between aircraft maintenance and trainer maintenance will be presented. The context is of a single centralized development station for maintaining different instrument configurations in the aircrew and maintenance training systems of a varied fleet of operational aircraft. Currently these systems are unique, and relate to aircraft type and avionic specific components.