Obviously, the display unit on the pedestal is not a full FMC. Is it used for data-link only? How do the pilots input info into this unit, is it touchscreen or do they use one of the primary FMCs like on the 777?
Also, some 767s have a speed-tape on the PFD and some have the fast-slow indication. Is this feature dependent on the CRT hardware or just the software? Do pilots really care which speed indicator they have since there is an analog indicator right next to the PFD?
Dalmd88 From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 2249 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1594 times:
The display unit on the aft center pedestal is for ACARS only I believe. The center FMC is used only for approach mode and as a back up if the left or right fails. I think the flight planning gets inputted into one of the FMCs and then is copied into the other two.
N243NW From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1321 posts, RR: 28 Reply 4, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 1351 times:
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 2): I know that OS has a very similar device on their F-100's as seen in this picture
So do the older ex-TWA MD-80s (the new ones have the dual MCDUs). The unit is made by Rockwell Collins and is in almost all aspects identical to the one on the F100 (and probably the 767 pictured above, too).
Jetlagged From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 2372 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1154 times:
Quoting krisyyz (Thread starter): Obviously, the display unit on the pedestal is not a full FMC. Is it used for data-link only? How do the pilots input info into this unit, is it touchscreen or do they use one of the primary FMCs like on the 777?
The device on the centre pedestal looks like an ACARS CDU. It's not part of the FMS as such, though it might provide data to it (flight plans, clearances, etc).
Quoting krisyyz (Thread starter): Also, some 767s have a speed-tape on the PFD and some have the fast-slow indication. Is this feature dependent on the CRT hardware or just the software? Do pilots really care which speed indicator they have since there is an analog indicator right next to the PFD?
The choice of speed tape or fast/slow pointer is a customer option. The hardware is the same, it's the software which works differently depending on the programme pin options chosen. The speed tape gives more information to the pilot than a traditional ASI can (stall speed, reference speed, buffet limits, flap extension/retraction cues, speed trend vector, etc). The fast/slow pointer style is a more basic display, directly replicating a traditional ADI. KLM went as far as removing the ASI's altogether on their 737s and 767s as the PFD speedtape made them redundant. Other airlines may have done so too.
krisyyz From Canada, joined Nov 2004, 1463 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1122 times:
Quoting Jetlagged (Reply 6): The choice of speed tape or fast/slow pointer is a customer option. The hardware is the same, it's the software which works differently depending on the programme pin options chosen. The speed tape gives more information to the pilot than a traditional ASI can (stall speed, reference speed, buffet limits, flap extension/retraction cues, speed trend vector, etc). The fast/slow pointer style is a more basic display, directly replicating a traditional ADI. KLM went as far as removing the ASI's altogether on their 737s and 767s as the PFD speedtape made them redundant. Other airlines may have done so too.
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