I always preferred the classic grey cockpit but, after the 744/ 757 / 767 introduced the 'brown look' and continued it with the B777 I assumed they would stick with that colour.


I have become used to it on the 75 / 67 and rather like it now.


Just curious as to why they have gone back to grey for the 787 ?!

It's a welcome change (back). I found the brown to be incredibly unpleasing to the eye. The grey definitely has a more industrial "aviation" feel. Get rid of that brown!! At least it's not Russian teal.

Quoting KC135Hydraulics (Reply 1): I found the brown to be incredibly unpleasing to the eye.

The brown on the contrarary seems to have a brighter look to it compared to the dull gray....I prefer the colour on the B757/767/777.

Quoting KC135Hydraulics (Reply 1): It's a welcome change (back). I found the brown to be incredibly unpleasing to the eye. The grey definitely has a more industrial "aviation" feel. Get rid of that brown!! At least it's not Russian teal.

Nothing is as bad as the 'public toilet' green on several MD and Russian types !

The brown was trendy at the time (early 80's) and was supposed to hide dirt better..which it does...by always looking somewhat dirty. Also, I suspect they were trying to work the branding angle to have the 787 look distinctly different from its kin.

Tom.

Quoting tdscanuck (Reply 4): The brown was trendy at the time (early 80's) and was supposed to hide dirt better..which it does...by always looking somewhat dirty. Also, I suspect they were trying to work the branding angle to have the 787 look distinctly different from its kin.

I can see that. i never thought I would like the Brown but I do think it is a nicer environment.


Wonder what colour is next ..

Quoting Max Q (Reply 5): Wonder what colour is next ..

Please let it be pink!    Please let it be pink!    Pink has a nice calming feeling.

Whats Boeing's observation on why the Grey or Brown was used....

I think the grey looks much cleaner. I've always preferred that.

Quoting 1337Delta764 (Reply 6): Pink has a nice calming feeling.

I've heard that before but I have a hard time believing it. It certainly doesn't work for me - I would find it a bit nauseating to be stuck for hours on a pink flight deck or in a pink cabin. I suspect it would be more distracting than calming.

I certainly wouldn't buy a car with a pink interior, even if I could be sure no-one would see me in it.  

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 7): Whats Boeing's observation on why the Grey or Brown was used....

Boeing switched to the brown, believing it would show less wear and dirt than grey. It wasn't true. A 25 year old 767 flight deck looks no better than a 25 year old 747-200 flight deck.

Quoting XFSUgimpLB41X (Reply 8): I think the grey looks much cleaner. I've always preferred that.

I agree. Ironic, given Boeing's original logic for going to brown on the 767/747-400/777.

Quoting XFSUgimpLB41X (Reply 8): I think the grey looks much cleaner. I've always preferred that.

The cockpit looks more like an Airbus, what I noticed as well was how much the overhead panel changed from the 744, to the 777, and then to the 787. The 787 overhead panel with the switches, back-lighting, fonts etc looks more like Airbus FBW than ever before


787 Flight Deck Overhead Panel by Jon Ostrower, on Flickr


A319 Overhead Panel by swiss_a320, on Flickr

Quoting CM (Reply 10): Boeing switched to the brown, believing it would show less wear and dirt than grey. It wasn't true. A 25 year old 767 flight deck looks no better than a 25 year old 747-200 flight deck.

Are you saying....Boeing Decided Grey was better after manufacturing Three types after the B747.Then what stopped them using Grey on the B757/767/777 midway into production rather await the B787 to do so.

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 12): Then what stopped them using Grey on the B757/767/777 midway into production rather await the B787 to do so.

Cost and the wrath of airlines.

There's no way Boeing would undertake the expense of a cosmetic makeover for a perfectly functional flight deck.

Operators would hate the new added parts variability - They would be forced to stock and manage 2 part numbers for every flight deck component instead of 1.

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 12):

Quoting CM (Reply 13):

Would a change in color impact the type rating? Just curious . . .   

bt

Quoting bikerthai (Reply 14): Would a change in color impact the type rating? Just curious . . .

No, but it would drive some certification work for Boeing in order to make the change.

Quoting bikerthai (Reply 14): Would a change in color impact the type rating? Just curious . .

Should not......

Quoting zeke (Reply 11): The cockpit looks more like an Airbus, what I noticed as well was how much the overhead panel changed from the 744, to the 777, and then to the 787

The 787 overhead panel is nearly identical to the 777 overhead panel, in almost every way.

777 Overhead Panel - http://www.virtualisrepules.hu/wp-co...ent/uploads/2009/10/777_night1.jpg

The 777 overhead panel is an evolution of the 767 overhead panel.

767 Overhead Panel - http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5099/5530707138_f71c4297bc_b.jpg

The common 767 / 777 / 787 features include much of what you mention:

- Korry type backlit switches
- Backlit panels with notional schematics
- Even the font is the same

None of these features are new to Boeing on the 787; they go back at least to 1982.

Quoting bikerthai (Reply 14): Would a change in color impact the type rating? Just curious . . .

Not type rating, but you'd have to recertify the flight deck. The regulators are incredibly uptight about glint/glare at night (for some good reasons).

Tom.

Quoting tdscanuck (Reply 18): you'd have to recertify the flight deck

Based on a colour change....what is the reason provided.......

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 19): Based on a colour change....what is the reason provided.......

You have to certify that the flight deck does not generate distracting glare, reflections, glints, light-leakage, or anything that might impact the pilots' vision. Since a big part of that is how the flight deck surfaces reflect (or don't) you'd have to rerun those tests with the new flightdeck. The exact colour isn't so much an issue (as long as it's relatively dark) but the surface finish can have a major impact and you'd have to show that you didn't screw that up when you changed colour.

Tom.