Subject: STANDARDIZATION GUIDE

FOR INTEGRATED COCKPITS IN PART 23 

AIRPLANES 

Date: 9/30/04 

Initiated By: ACE-100 

AC No: 23-23 

Change: 

1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC)? 

a. This AC is to acknowledge the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) 

Publication #12, “Recommended Practices and Guidelines for an Integrated Flightdeck/Cockpit 

in a 14 CFR Part 23 (or equivalent) Certificated Airplane,” as an acceptable means for showing 

compliance with applicable requirements for electronic displays in part 23 airplanes. Guidance 

in AC 23.1311-1A, Installation of Electronic Displays in Part 23 Airplanes, Society of

Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA, Inc.) 

documents was used in developing the GAMA Publication #12. (GAMA Publication #12 is 

available from GAMA’s website at www.gama.aero.) A combined industry and Federal 

Aviation Administration (FAA) team developed this GAMA publication. 

b. This material is neither mandatory nor regulatory in nature and does not constitute a 

regulation. It describes acceptable means, but not the only means, for demonstrating compliance 

with the applicable regulations. The FAA will consider other methods of demonstrating 

compliance that an applicant may elect to present. While these guidelines are not mandatory, 

they are derived from extensive FAA and industry experience in determining compliance with 

the relevant regulation. If we become aware of circumstances that convince us that following 

this AC would not result in compliance with the applicable regulations, the FAA will not be 

bound by the terms of this AC, and we may require additional substantiation or design changes 

as a basis for finding compliance. 

c. This material does not change, create any additional, authorize change in, or permit 

deviations from regulatory requirements. 
AC 23-23 9/30/04 

2. WHAT IS AN INTEGRATED COCKPIT/FLIGHTDECK?

Generally, an integrated cockpit/flightdeck combines a number of flight guidance, airplane 

systems, and situational awareness control and display functions into a minimum number of 

interdependent electronic displays. For the purposes of this AC and the GAMA Publication #12, 

an integrated cockpit/flightdeck must include electronic display and control of all primary 

aircraft airspeed, altitude, and attitude instruments, and all essential navigation and 

communication functions. Integration may also include display and control of airborne 

surveillance, aircraft systems and engine systems. 

3. WHAT DOES THE GAMA DOCUMENT PROVIDE? 

a. This document provides a recommended practice, which, if followed, will result in more 

standardized cockpit display and control systems. One significant benefit to standardization 

between cockpit designs is that it should improve pilot performance (that is, reduce pilot errors, 

tasks performance times, and so forth) when transitioning between different aircraft systems. 

The GAMA Publication #12 is a living document to allow it to evolve with the rapidly changing 

flight technology. We expect the document to evolve and to increase integrated cockpit 

commonality with each revision. This document only addresses the pilot interface issues 

associated with integrated cockpits/flightdecks. 

b. We also expect that with increasing cockpit commonality there will be reduced training 

needed to safely transition from one electronic cockpit to another. Given that expectation, 

GAMA Publication #12 does not address the initial training needed for a pilot to safely transition 

from traditional round dial instruments to integrated electronic flight displays. 

c. Finally, the guidance provided in GAMA Publication #12 is intended to streamline the 

certification process. The industry/FAA team that composed GAMA Publication #12 

specifically addressed issues with integrated cockpits/flightdecks that are frequently raised by 

FAA flight test and human factors personnel. This document should allow FAA and 

manufacturers to focus on certification issues associated with new technologies and displays - 

not on design aspects the FAA has already determined are acceptable because the FAA already 

approved them in another manufacturer’s product. This does not mean that all integrated cockpit 

issues are addressed in the GAMA document because that is not possible or even desirable for 

systems as complex as integrated cockpits. The GAMA Publication #12 acknowledges that there 

should always be room for innovation and new technology. 

4. TO WHOM DOES THIS AC APPLY?

a. The guidance provided in this document is directed to airplane manufacturers, modifiers, 

foreign regulatory authorities, and FAA small airplane type certification engineers, and their 

designees. This AC, and the associated GAMA Publication #12, applies if you are developing or 

installing an integrated cockpit system into any small part 23 airplane. 

2 
9/30/04 AC 23-23 

b. GAMA Publication #12 guidance was developed based on a minimum display set of a 

Primary Flight Display (PFD)/Navigation Display (ND) and Multifunction Display (MFD). The 

document applies to “integrated cockpit” installations in older airplanes as well as new airplanes. 

Moreover, GAMA Publication #12 may be used for partial “integrated cockpit” equipment 

installations where the guidance is applicable. 

5. ARE THERE ANY REFERENCES FOR THIS AC? 

GAMA Publication #12, Recommended Practices and Guidelines for an Integrated 

Flightdeck/Cockpit in a 14 CFR Part 23 (or equivalent) Airplane. 

s/ 

Dorenda D. Baker 

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate 

3 (and 4)