Reading Comprehension

Tick the true idea (based on the text).

A) Most modern cockpits are enclosed.

B) Most modern airliners are equipped by nacelles.

2. a) The control column in modern cockpits has been replaced with an electronic side stick.

b) The control column can hardly be replaced with an electronic side stick.

3. a) Most cockpits have windows which can be opened when the aircraft is on the ground.

b) Most cockpits` windows can’t be opened even when the aircraft is on the ground.

4. a) Only windscreens in large aircraft have an anti-reflective coating, and an internal heating element to melt ice.

b) Nearly all glass windows in large aircraft have an internal heating element to melt ice.

5. a) It is impossible to equip smaller aircraft with a transparent aircraft canopy.

b) Smaller aircraft may be equipped with a transparent aircraft canopy.

6. a) Now, cockpits are being designed to accommodate from the 1st percentile female physical size and the 99th percentile male size.

b) Now, cockpits are being designed to accommodate from the 1st percentile female physical size and the 50th percentile male size.

7. a) Many traditional controls are replaced by multi-function re-configurable controls or so-called “knobs and dials“.

b) Many traditional controls are replaced by multi-function re-configurable controls or so-called “soft keys”.

8. a) Instrument panels are now almost wholly replaced by electronic displays which are themselves often re-configurable to save space.

b) Instrument panels are now almost wholly replaced by electronic displays which are fixed.

Match the beginning of each sentence with its ending.

1.Flight deck is the area, usually near a) … are designed to increase pilot

the front of an aircraft,… situation awareness without causing

information overload.

2. Cockpit as a term for the pilot's b) …from which a pilot controls the

compartment in an aircraft… aircraft.

3. Military biplanes and the first c) …which yellowed quickly and was

single-engined fighters and attack extremely flammable.

aircraft …

4. Before 1933 windows were often d) …designed to optimise pilot instrument

cellulose nitrate … scanning.

5. One of the most important e)… from which point all displays

developments was the “Basic Six” … should be visible.

6. The layout and function of cockpit f)…first appeared in 1914.

displays controls…

7. The layout of control panels in g)… also had open cockpits.

modern airliners …

8. A central concept in the design of the h)… has become largely unified across cockpit is the Design Eye Position … the industry.

Vocabulary development