Boeing MCP Panel

[THY066]

The MCP is the primary interface for the pilot for contolling the A/T and A/P functions of the AFDS. It is located in the centre of the Glareshield for access by both pilots. It presents the pilot with a visual representation of the A/P and A/T configuration through a series of LED displays and switches.

The MCP allows the pilot to input commands that control two Flight Control Computers (FCC). Each computer is named A and B, hence the A and B on the MCP . When the A/P is engaged it sends commands to the aircraft ptich and roll servos to operate the aircraft flight control surfaces. Also, when the FD switch is armed, the same commands are sent to the FD display to indicate the pitch and roll profile of the aircraft to the pilots.

The A/T system is also a component of the AFDS and can take it's commands from the MCP and/or the FMC which provides the A/T system with commands for N1 limits and target airspeeds.

Components of the MCP

If you are unfamiliar with the operations of the Boeing style cockpits, the MCP panel can be a bit confusing at first. If, however, we break it down, it will be much easier to understand. It is recommended that you read and understand the PMDG Manuals (incl FMC Manual).

Now to the controls of the MCP starting from the left (Captains side) of the panel.

COURSE

There are two course controls on the MCP, one on each side. They are used to allow the pilot to select the relevant VOR or ILS course. In the real aircraft, the left course selector is used for the left Nav display screen and the right control is used for the right Nav display screen. The control is made up from a rotary switch and an LED 3 number readout ranging from 0 Degrees to 359 Degrees (all the points of the compass). To change the course you simply rotate the switch anti-clockwise to decrease course or clockwise to increase the course. The course selected is displayed on the LED in Degrees.

There is also a Push function on this switch and is not programmed on the Opencockpits 737MCP v2.

FD SWITCH

Moving along to the right of the Course control is the FD Switch. This is a simple ON-Off switch that operates the Flight Director (seen as a Magenta Cross on the main instrument HSI display). Operation is Up for ON and Down for Off. In the software, you will see a green LED above this switch to annunciate it. A second FD switch is on the right side of the MCP for co-pilot use. They operate the FD in each respective FCC (A and B) and can be used independantly of each other.

When both FDs are operated together then one remains the master. This is the FD that was operated first or if the corresponding A/P was set to CMD. If a pitch differnece is sensed between the A and B computers that exceeds approx 2 - 4 degs, or the roll exceeds 3 - 9 degs the FD command bars will disappear from the display until the difference returns to within the parameters.This functionality only operates in TOGA or Approach mode. This function is also inhibited when the aircraft is on the ground, one of the FDs are affected by electrical bus transfer or failure of either one of the FDs.

A/T SWITCH

Moving to the right of the FD Switch you will see the Auto Thrust Control. This is made up of a simple On Off switch, an LED to annunciate the On position. This control engages or disengages the A/T. Once disengaged the LED annunciator will go out.

A full explaination of the operation of the A/T system will be available here soon, but is too large a subject for this description.

N1 BUTTON

This is an LED lit push button. Operation is push for on, push for off. N1 controls the speed of the engine outer compression fan e.g thrust

When the N1 button is activate, the A/T maintains the required N1 (thrust) limits selected in the FMC. When it is avtive, N1 is annunciated on the Flight Mode Annuciator Display for A/T Mode.

Example of Mode Display.

A/T Pitch Roll Status
N1 ALT HOLD HDG SEL CMD

SPEED CONTROL

The next control is the Speed contol comprising 3 digit LED. 1 Rotary switch, N1 Button, Speed Button, a Level Change Button and a C/O botton. This control operates and controls the speed when the A/T is engaged only, it cannot control speed unless the A/T is armed. Speed can only be controlled if the AFDS operating mode is compatible. When is is active, the A/T mode displays MCP SPD

A/T Pitch Roll Status
MCP SPD ALT HOLD HDG SEL CMD

The 3 digit LED presents the pilot with the target speed (not the actual speed of the aircraft) this speed is displayed as IAS or Mach No (displayed as a % of Mach 1) The rotary switch changes the speed value displayed. Turn the switch anti-clockwise to decrease displayed speed and clockwise to increase it. Below the rotary switch are 2 LED lit push buttons. these buttons are marked N1 and SPEED respectively. They are simple Push on and Push off buttons (on off). The button is fitted with an LED that lights when the button operation is active and not on when inactive. The SPEED button, when On (LED lit) indicates that the speed in the 3 digit display is active. Above the N1 and SPEED buttons is a small push button marked C/O. When pressed it toggles the speed displayed in the 3 digit LED between Mach and IAS in Knots. If Mach is active the 3 digit display indicates the Mach speed as a decimal value (i.e. .73 indicates the speed as 73 % of Mach 1).

LEVEL CHANGE (LVL CHG)

The Level Change (LVL CHG) button is a simple push on push off button with an LED to indicate it is active. This function works in conjunction with the A/T and FMC to initiate the change in altitude / Flight Level selected on the Altitude display (cleared Altitude/FL). When activated the A/T enters it's ARMED Mode. Speeds in the climb or descent are controlled by the A/T providing it is engaged, otherwise limits need to be entered manually.

VNAV

Above the LVL CHG button is the VNAV button. This is a simple push on push off button and an LED is displayed when it is active. When the VNAV button is active and the A/P is active, the FMC is controlling the vertical profile of the aircraft in forward flight.

HEADING

Moving right along the panel the next control is the Heading Control. This comprises 1x 3 digit LED display, 1 rotary switch and 1 HDG SEL Button. In addition it has an engraved scale around the rotary switch.

The 3 digit LED provides a display of heading in compass degrees ranging from 0 - 359. The dislay heading is altered by rotating the rotary switch anti-clockwise to decrease heading and clockwise to increase heading. The rotary switch has a scale engraved on the panel indicating the maximum bank angle. You will notice that the scale on the left is the exact opposite to the scale on the right. This is so that the maximum bank angle is equal on either side. (imagine a straight line from "10" on the right, it will end on "10" on the left.). Below the rotary switch there is a button marked HDG SEL. (Heading Select). When this button is active (LED On), the heading is controlled by the pilot based on what he/she has selected on the display. When it is Off, the heading is being controlled by the data in the FMC (A/P active).

LNAV

To the right of the Heading controls are 3 push buttons lit by LED. the top button is marked LNAV. When the button LED is lit, the LNAV control is active and controlling the lateral profile of the aircraft in forward flight. This means that the heading and track is being controlled by the navigation data entered into the FMC before or during the flight.

VOR LOC (VOR / LOCALISER CAPTURE)

The second button in the three is the VOR LOC button. This button is a push On, Push Off button and works in conjunction with the FMC and the frequencies set on the Navigation radios. VOR = VHF Omnidirectional Radio LOC = Locator. This button also has an LED displayed when the VOR LOC function is active. The VOR antenna on the aircraft picks up the relevant signal and automatically selects the "Mode" (VOR or ILS) based on the frequency set . This then sends commands to the A/P to intercept a predetermined radial and track along it.

APP (APPROACH)

Below the VOR LOC button is the APP Button. Again this is a simple Push On, Push Off button with an LED that is lit when the APP function is active. When this function is active, it uses the single frequency set on one or more of the NAV Radios to follow an approach path. The frequency set is the ILS frequency for the specified runway and provides a radio beam defining the approach descent to the runway. When APP is active, it establishes the aircraft on the glide slope and tracks down the beam to the runway threshold. It can be done using only one NAV radio set on the ILS frequency, however, it is general practice to use both NAV radios with both the Captain's and First Officer's A/P engaged. Once the localiser is captured the light will extinguish on the APP button and the A/P will follow the captured glideslope. If for some reason you wish to disconnect the APP activity once the glideslope is captured, there are only three ways to do this:

Disengage the A/P and both FDs
Tune the NAV frequencies out
Press the TO/GA button
ALTITUDE

Moving right across the front of the panel is the Altitude controls. This control comprises 1x 5 digit LED display, a Rotary switch and an ALT HLD button with LED light.

The function of this control is to allow the pilot to set the aircraft altitude manually. Turn the rotary switch anticlockwise to decrease displayed altitude and clockwise to increase displayed altitude.To execute the displayed altitude press the LVL CHG button. To hold the existing actual altitude, the pilot can press the ALT HLD button. When this function is active the LED on the button is lit.

VERT SPEED

The Vertical Speed comprises a Rotary wheel, an LED lit push button and a 7digit LED display. It is armed by pushing the LED lit V/S button. When active, the V/S mode automatically engages the A/T in Speed mode which then sets the thrust to achieve the vertical rate selected by the pilot. However, if the rate selected exceeds the available thrust (N1 limit) then the speed will decrease. V/S mode will not operate if ALT HLD is engaged or following the glideslope capture.

A/P ENGAGE / DISENGAGE

Eac of the A/P has a button marked CMD and a corresponding CWS button. If the A/P is in CWS mode it will still function provided there is no roll or pitch mode selected. The pilot can override the A/P in CMD mode into CWS by applying sufficient force to the control column. In CWS Mode, the A/P will hold the aircraft attitude as commanded by the pilot unless the roll attiude is less than 6 Deg. If this is the case the aircraft will level the wings and hold it's heading. However, this heading hold function is not available below 1500' RA, in a gear down profile, following a VOR capture at less than 250 Kt TAS or following a glideslope capture in Approach mode (APP). The latter can be achieved if if the aircraft is in CWS mode but in each of these cases the CMD mode is reactivated.

Finaly, there is a A/P Disengage/Engage bar. When in the UP (Engaged) position the A/P can be operated normally. When it is in the DOWN position (Disengaged) it disconnects both A/P s and prevents the pilots from re-engaging the A/P with either the CMD or CWS modes.


P.S Turkish version coming soon!

[Apollo]

supper post thanks SIR!!!

[flywith737]

Türkçe versiyonunu sabırsızlıkla bekliyorum

[THY4388]

güzel paylaşım teşekkürler

İhtiyacı olan varsa PMDG 737-600/700/800/900 serisinin *.pdf olarak tüm manual leri mevcut arkadaşlar.
iyi uçuşlar..

[THY3032]

Mustafa Kaptan,
PMDG 737-800 manual leri cok iyi olurdu. Nasil alabilirim sizden?