Aircraft Components

6. Cockpit

The usual cockpit of an airplane contains all switches and levers to operate the technology and control the airplane. The cockpit also contains the control indicators for all kinds of technical things that should be checked regularly during the flight, such as tank capacity, altitude, speed or the oil pressure of the engine.

There are airplanes in which the cockpit is so extensive that there are three and more people employed to control everything, monitor it and ensure a safe flight.   However, most cockpits can be operated by one person.  Airliners and most private aircraft with two adjacent seats are designed for safety reasons to be controlled from both the right and left side.  

If the cockpit is too large, it is divided into different areas for better orientation. Most modern cockpits are divided into thematic modules.  This also facilitates the maintenance and replacement of the systems.  

Below, as a direct comparison, is an example for an airplane from the First World War (Albatros DV) and that of the A10-A.  Top right the cockpit of an Airbus A320.