It was only a matter of time before a new generation of aviators started climbing the aeronautical ladder... without benefit of (now) old-style "steam gauges." Well, it has started happening... and this time, it's a family affair.

By all indications, John Steele (above) of Arlington, Virginia is the first student pilot to begin his primary training and solo in a Garmin G1000, fully integrated glass cockpit Diamond DA-40-180 Star. John has never used a conventional “steam gauge” panel.

John’s flight instructor, Brian Edgerley (below, with John) of AV-ED Flight School in Leesburg (JYO) said “Initially; I was reluctant to agree, but I found the G1000’s terrific situational awareness and intuitive functionality easy to instruct with”. Brian had previously attended G1000 training at the Diamond Factory.

John said he is surprised by the distinction of being the 'first,' and is eager to complete his training using the new Glass cockpit technology.

“All the information I need to fly the airplane is readily visible and the increased reliability gives me more comfort as I advance.”

John and his wife Leslie Steele are owners of a Northern Virginia software development company. They purchased N127X, a 2004 G1000 equipped Diamond Star from Mid-Atlantic Diamond in November.

FMI: www.midatlanticdiamond.com, www.diamondair.com