Just out of curiosity, but does anyone know why the A350 and A380 have a mouse and keyboard setup for the MCDU? I actually think it's cool but I was just curious as to why they have it. Is it because of their size or how much of a flying computer they are?

It's now actually called a KCCU (Keyboard and Cursor Control Unit)

https://planenerd.com/fascinating-facts ... 0-cockpit/

See point 3. I think it explains it quite well what the advantages are.

You could say that on previous generations, the MCDU is a standalone "box", whilst on the A350 the cockpit systems are much more highly integrated. What was previously in the box is now all over the place. Hence why you need the KCCU to interface with all of it.

On the A320 and the A330, the MCDU keyboard only works with the actual MDCU. There are a number of MCDU functions such as FM (the most well known one), as well as ATC Comms (CPDLC), ACARS, maintenance, SATCOM, and so forth.

On the A350, there is no MCDU. The KCCU (Keyboard and Cursor Control Unit) as mentioned by ReverseFlow can be used with four different systems. You shift between them with the navigation keys just above the ball.
- MFD (Multi Function Display) on the lower centre display, used for FMS, Surveillance (transponder and so on), ACP (autopilot control panel) backup function and a few other things. The function keys at the top of the KCCU are recognisable from the MCDU.
- The mailbox, used for CPDLC, D-ATIS, weather and so on. The mailbox is on the upper centre display.
- The ND (navigation display) on one half of the display in front of the pilot. Yes, you can click on waypoints on the ND for direct-to, look up basic airport information, and do a number of other things.
- The OIS (Onboard Information System) on the outer display, for EFB, ACARS, charts, CAR (commander's administrative report) and so on.

The one thing the KCCU is NOT used for with is ECAM, which is handled by the ECAM control panel behind the thrust levers. (On the A320 and A330, the ECAM control panel is in front of the thrust levers, but on the A350 this space is taken up by the MFD on the lower display.) Most pilots new to the A350 will at some point try to use the wheel on the KCCU to scroll down on an ECAM procedure, instead of that other wheel on the ECAM control panel.

Of note is that the A350 also has a full keyboard in the folding table. This keyboard works only with the EFB on the outer display. The table has a hinged cover so you can either use the table as a table, or expose the keyboard.

(I've never flown an A380 but I think it is fairly similar to the A350.)



ECAM control panel, KCCUs, and radio panels.




The KCCU


Hinged cover on table folded back to expose keyboard.


Half the MFD.

Woodreau wrote:

It’s probably a similar issue between sidesticks , but Is it easy for a right handed person to use the trackball/wheel with their left hand seated in the FO seat?

I’m trying to figure out how you use the trackball and wheel. Are they used simultaneously or separately. It doesn’t seem to easily allow your index finger to scroll the wheel while using the trackball.

Left to Right

It is not quite as easy to transition as from right to left sidestick, but no big deal. That being said, as a Second Officer, you'll occupy both seats, sometimes on the same flight, and you do find yourself clicking with the wrong finger sometimes. Of course, this happens with other things as well. It's a given that when you crew-up on a command development sim, the captain candidate will sometimes use his left hand to press something on the overhead. Force of habit.

I took some time to teach myself to use the arrow and enter keys to scroll around, including the exact number of arrow presses in the requisite directions on any given page. This is a big time saver especially during the setup since you save yourself a lot of back and forth from the keyboard to the ball. For example when inputting takeoff performance, on flap setting, you can use the ball to open the drop-down menu, scroll down to the desired setting, then click the "validation PB), or (easier IMHO), press the desired number (1 to 3) and press just enter to go to the next setting.


Trackball and Wheel

The trackball and wheel are not used simultaneously.

- The trackball is used to scroll around the screen. The display unit itself is virtually "split" into left and right halves, one for each pilot. But you can actually cross over onto the other side through the "soft wall". The cursor will stop at the wall, but if you keep scrolling it will cross the wall. The use of this function is encouraged by Airbus in order to save time, for example if the page you need right now is already displayed on the other side. Or when doing takeoff performance, you'd can input the weights and CG data on one side, and then have the takeoff performance page ready to go on the other. Crossing over "uninvited" does tend to drive some of the crusty old guys up the wall, which of course is additional motivation to do it often.
- The wheel is used to scroll through lists, for example on the flight plan page. Similar to the up and down arrows on the MCDU. Of course, Airbus in their endless wisdom made the scrolling direction opposite compared to the MCDU arrows. (They also changed the direction of standard and QNH on the setting knob, but that's another story.)


Random thoughts on KCCU vs MCDU

In general, I think it is a very well-designed system, with a lot of functionality more easily accessible than on the MCDU. You don't always have to know exactly where something is. It will reveal itself unlike on the MCDU where if you don't know where some functions are you'll never find them (I'm looking at you, navaid deselection...). On the other hand, if you know the MCDU, you can get things done faster with it. An A330 setup takes less time because once you know the MCDU, you can pound through it faster than pan-scrolling through the A350 MFD.

That keyboard looks like a disaster to keep clean

Thankfully, the hinged cover seems to keep pretty much all the crumbs and stuff off the keyboard.

I can't seem to find any good images of the table with the cover in the "cover keyboard" position but it is a good snug fit and makes the table easy to wipe off.

Starlionblue wrote:

Thankfully, the hinged cover seems to keep pretty much all the crumbs and stuff off the keyboard.

I can't seem to find any good images of the table with the cover in the "cover keyboard" position but it is a good snug fit and makes the table easy to wipe off.

As more A350's come into service, I'd bet it's only a matter of time before some moron has the table unfolded with coffee and food irresponsibly close to the input. It would suck having to explain a flight delay to the chief pilot because you spilled your coffee onto the keyboard!

rjsampson wrote:

Starlionblue wrote:

Thankfully, the hinged cover seems to keep pretty much all the crumbs and stuff off the keyboard.

I can't seem to find any good images of the table with the cover in the "cover keyboard" position but it is a good snug fit and makes the table easy to wipe off.

As more A350's come into service, I'd bet it's only a matter of time before some moron has the table unfolded with coffee and food irresponsibly close to the input. It would suck having to explain a flight delay to the chief pilot because you spilled your coffee onto the keyboard!

Just MEL it and go. No biggie.

But this might be a good time to mention that other drink spill issue on the A350. Guess why we have cup lids now?

https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/a35 ... 34.article