PFD cosmetics

[Hardy Heinlin]

With virtual camera.

[Lasse]

Yeah pretty cool comparison!

@Pierre. The bars you see are called Navigation Performance Scales (NPS). It works like this for the part below the horizon the vertical lines are the RNP. It changes with the change of airspace. The value can be seen on the LEGS page. The level line touching the horizon are the ANP... So if we turn off NAV UPDATE under FMC /POS page then the lines will slowly increase towards the center where we see the magenta triangle representing the LNAV route. So it just shows max track deviation allowed... Same goes for the vertical part. However since we are in cruise its not shown right... But the concept are the same smart when we perform LNAV/VNAV arrivals and approaches... When the LOC and G/S are moving but not yet captured they are shown as small grey diamonds. When captured the FMA of cause change if they where armed, but the white LNAV/VNAV on top of the artificial horizon disappears and the layout is just as you know it from the B747... I hope it solved the mystery.
Boeing introduced the NPS for the 737 around 2006...

[Will]

Does the 747-400 have NPS?  Sounds interesting.

[Pierre Theillere]

Hi Lasse!

Wow, thanks a lot for the very detailed explanation: I've really discovered something on some Boeing's instrumentation! I was aware of RNP / ANP stuff, but didn't know they had some cues related to it on the PFD! It's quite cleverly designed indeed, with straightforward interpretation from busy pilots.

[Lasse]

@Will. Im not aware of any B744 that has NPS. A little interesting since it goes well hand in hand with the VSD...
However on the other hand the B744 has so many other cool features...

@Pierre. Many B737 doesnt have the NPS software installed, so you will still see the "normal" layout too... but you are right... Its quite neat to have...

/L

[Michel Vandaele]

Hi Harry,

Sorry for late reaction, but according my real life source (big cargo airline), in their aircraft,  "no autoland" is coming up in the upper eicas, and not in the pfd.
As always, there are so many options in a Boeing aircraft

B. rgds
Michel

[frumpy]

Dreaming about PSX last night, I had to satisfy my craving today
by looking at a pic. I noticed one little detail here, the digital "6" at the
clock has probably a dash up on top:
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/6/2/0554264.jpg
Probably same thing with the frequency LCDs I suppose.



Edit: HH, photo link.

[Hardy Heinlin]

Thanks for the hint.

The clock, the RCP and maybe the ATC has the dash on the 6, but the MCP has no dash.

If I would keep one font class and set an "if" statement for the 6, it would be a waste of speed.

If I would make two font classes each with a different 6, it would be a waste of memory.

It would be an expensive little dash. I think I'll keep it as it is.


Cheers,

|-|ardy


P.S.: Michel, I thank you, too. I'm not really convinced yet that Cargolux does NOT show "NO AUTOLAND" on the PFD. Are you sure?

[Hardy Heinlin]

Correction: I already have multiple specified instances of my LCD font for three different device types: 1. clocks, 2. RCPs, 3. MCP and ATC. So, I can add that little 6-dash exclusively for the clocks and RCPs without much effort.

[Will]

:-)

[frumpy]

Correction: I already have multiple specified instances of my LCD font for three different device types: 1. clocks, 2. RCPs, 3. MCP and ATC. So, I can add that little 6-dash exclusively for the clocks and RCPs without much effort.

Thanks for explaining and implementing. This way I made myself immortal
in PSX! :mrgreen:

[Michel Vandaele]

P.S.: Michel, I thank you, too. I'm not really convinced yet that Cargolux does NOT show "NO AUTOLAND" on the PFD. Are you sure?

Hi Hardy,  that's what 2 of my pilot friends are telling me, I haven't seen it for myself.  Will try to check it again, maybe it is depending which sub/type software version. As you know they have different aircraft in their fleet.

B. Rgds
Michel

[John H Watson]

The prerequisites for the annunciation to appear on the PFD seem to deny its existance:

"Below 1500 feet radio altitude, in a multi-channel condition, the autoland status annunciation replaces the AFDS status"

Can the A/P be multi-channel if NO AUTOLAND is annunciated?

[Hardy Heinlin]

I think the "AFDS status" can be FD, CMD or TEST -- while the "autoland status" may refer to the number of channels in use: LAND 3, LAND 2 or NO AUTOLAND -- whereby any displayed "autoland status" may imply that the "AFDS status" is CMD.

If that customer specified software removes the "autoland status" from the PFD in a no-autoland case, then I assume it shows CMD and blanks the white ROLLOUT and FLARE words.


|-|

[IefCooreman]

"No autoland" EICAS is a general indication that autoland is not available that can appear any time during the flight. Ico AP connected during approach it will change to Land 3 or Land 2. If a failure at that point would not allow an autoland, the PFD will show "no autoland". It's important for low vis operations (however maybe some costumers prefer differently... no idea).

Have been streaming through (very slow) CBT's but haven't been able to see a drawing of the exact "no autoland" on the PFD indication though...

[Hardy Heinlin]

Michel, perhaps the pilots you asked misunderstood your question? Perhaps they thought of a situation where the NO AUTOLAND advisory message was shown on EICAS while the aircraft was above 1500 ft. Usually, below 1500 ft, the advisory message changes to a caution message accompanied by a change on the PFD.


|-|

[Michel Vandaele]

Hi Hardy,
Will have to asked it again,  but I let them see your drawings when I was asking my question.
Nevertheless what Lef was mentioning certainly make sense also.
I shall keep you informed asap Ihave some more info.
B. Rgds
Michel