Re: Re: NG737 and Options

Originally posted by Sonnenflieger
They are the same in most aspects except for the air conditioning panels as the cabins of the -800’s and -900’s are longer than those of the -600/-700, these panels having more equipment on the longer 737’s for this cause.

Also, the Common Display System (CDS) can be configured differently. Most 737NG customers use the layout familiar from the 747-400, 777 etc, but there is also the option of using the EFIS-style instrumentation of the 737-3/4/500 superimposed on the displays.

Quoted from Boeing’s Aero Magazine #04 :

Simply by loading flight-deck software, operators can use the CDS to replicate either the electronic flight instrument system with map (EFIS/MAP) display of classic 737 models (737-300/-400/-500) or the primary flight display/ navigational display (PFD/ND) used in the 777 and 747-400 models. As a result, operators can continue to fly their earlier 737s while introducing next-generation 737 airplanes into their fleets with minimal training.

Most operators use the PFD/ND configuration. Among those using the EFIS/MAP configuration are Maersk Air, Hamburg International and Continental Airlines.

Here is a photo of the EFIS/MAP config on a Maersk 737-700…

…and here is a photo of the normal PFD/ND configuration, sans aligned IRS’s in a Luxair 737-700.

The swap between the two configurations is just a matter of software change, just like the FMC’s are updated with new operational software now and then. It is however not something the pilot can do for himself when preflighting the ship, rather something done during maintenance checks.

Hope this answered your question!

Hans

Interesting! I just learned something new 😀
Welcome to my buddy list Sonnenflieger