737 cockpit items

[ivar hestnes]

A while ago I was onboard a Privatair 737-800/BBJ2 and had a very quick peak into the cockpit and I noticed a small screen located on the AFT overhead panel. Just top-left of the IRS panel. The screen seemed to be like 5". Anyone have any ideas what this screen is for? Maybe someone also have a picture to share? I didnt have the time to taks photos or ask the crew unfortunately.

And, has anyone seen a 737 with a CDU on the pedestal? I am thinking that adding a CDU there would/could eliminate the keyboard when flying on vatsim. Just a few ideas I am thinking about Would love to see photos if someone has with a third CDU

[jackpilot]

something like that?

[ivar hestnes]

You got it there Jack
Thats the plan. Looks kind of cool also.
From a simbuilders perspective, more is always better 

Still wondering if any real 737`s have a CDU there

[jackpilot]

Actually this was just to give you an idea of what it can look like. I prefer my original layout with an INS Delco Carousel which can allow interfacing a whole keypad for whatever ATC you can play with....
They go for $50-100 and look real good.

Or a panel like that one could be good too
[ebay]350368916044[/ebay]

[Kennair]

Jack, where do you get the Delco?  Looks like a good multi-use keyboard replacement.

Ken

[jackpilot]

They come and go on EBay.
Check the Acars Panel referenced above , very handy too, cheap and good looking.
Delco's come and go. This vendor had one recently.
Mine was disassembled, cleaned (gutted of all the unnessary and heavy electronics) and rewired for eye candy and interfacing. The digit displays were really hard to wire. I recommend puting new LED digits.

Ken check your PM for more.

[Sean]

And, has anyone seen a 737 with a CDU on the pedestal? I am thinking that adding a CDU there would/could eliminate the keyboard when flying on vatsim. Just a few ideas I am thinking about Would love to see photos if someone has with a third CDU

I have seen this, and while this isn't the photograph I'm looking for, I hope it helps (note it's a different style CDU). I'll look out for the photo where I first saw this. I was thinking the same as you, a way of having a keyboard in the pit!

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Tarom/Boeing-737-78J/0245199/L

[dnoize]

KLM/Transavia has something similar in their Pedestals.

Its a Honeywell MIDU (Multi Function Interactive Display Unit).

Can be used as MCDU, VHF Voice and Data subsystems, ACARS unit and more.



more info on these here:

http://www.honeywell.com/sites/aero/Communication_Navigation_Systems3_C2BB6B07D-BE5D-1863-8A9A-D7F4A616C4EC_HE0242947-B5AC-E270-C52B-D19ADC2439E2.htm

http://www51.honeywell.com/aero/common/documents/myaerospacecatalog-documents/ATR_Brochures-documents/MIDU_Product_Description.pdf

I have a real one in my pedestal and indeed plan to take the guts out, replace the lcd and use the keypad for common fs functions.




As for the unit in the aft overhead:  Maybe a display for the galley survaillance cam ?
CCTV cams are an option on the 737 nowadays, but ive never seen the displays in the aft overhead though. Usually the displays are in the sidewalls (were the oxy masks are most commonly).

Went through all my literature, but havent found a clue....



Stef

[ivar hestnes]

Excellent boys.
Thanks for sharing those photos. At least a regular CDU is very close in appearance to this MIDU unit. In my sim I would prefere to always use voice on Vatsim, but sometimes text is necessary and then the third CDU would hopefully be a good use for this

Maybe someone could make a useful software for a third CDU also? Vatsim functionality, acars +++   (Where is Luis Gordo ) 

I was also told by our friend Phil that the screen I am talking about is for surveilannce. So the pilots can look at the females in the back anytime they like to
Well, maybe it is not a bad idea after all. Could have a cam at the front door of the house, and watch from inside the sim. Easy to get robbed when flying the sim, lol.
Still hoping for a picture of the Bezel, and eventually a control unit for this.

[dnoize]

it wasnt this one ?
http://www.goodrich.com/portal/goodrich/images/Goodrich%20Content/Business%20Content/Sensors%20and%20Integrated%20Systems/Products/Literature%20Listing/4128%20737%20CDSS.pdf

dont think so because its not panel mount.


heres a youtube video of the surveillance systems that i know. it shows screen and control panel. But this one is mounted in the sidewall. Maybe the PrivatAir had the same system in the aft overhead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ-xV2ukeaA&feature=player_embedded


Stef

[fsaviator]

Its a Honeywell MIDU (Multi Function Interactive Display Unit).

I found that a while ago when I saw it in a build at www.boeing737ng.com (not up anymore).  My goal is to build the MIDU and use it as a keyboard and vatsim comms panel...  we'll see how that goes.

Warren

[dnoize]

Its a Honeywell MIDU (Multi Function Interactive Display Unit).

I found that a while ago when I saw it in a build at www.boeing737ng.com (not up anymore).  My goal is to build the MIDU and use it as a keyboard and vatsim comms panel...  we'll see how that goes.

Warren

Yup,

thats my website.....  My hoster changed servers and i need to reupload it......if there just were 40 hours in a day.....for now i cant be too much bothered with it....

On my site there were picture from a selfmade Midu panel.

Its replace now by a real MIDU  (see the close up picture above, thats mine).

Stef

[fsaviator]

Small world 

I can't keep these websites straight.  Hell, while I've looked at your site dozens of times, it still took me 15 minutes to go though my "737 simpit" bookmark folder to find it.

I spotted the MIDU the first time I saw your site...  scoured internet first to find what it was, then to find info.  ended up with same files you posted.  If I can find time to get to working my CNC, I plan to make it.  It should be perfect as a keyboard/monitor for VATSIM (and other things).

I thought I might use some creative license and install a small joystick too for mouse control.

Warren

[jackpilot]

a little trackball is better!!

[fsaviator]

Great idea Jack...  it's a plan then

Warren

[ivar hestnes]

Yes Stef, the screen on the video looked just like the one I saw in the Privatair. Thanks for the find and share   Hmmm, I think it could been something cool and useful to have in a homecockpit also now. For example, Front door camera (to spot visitors), and also a "camera" that shows a picture of an actual galley, so when you turn on that image and see back in a real aircraft, you can really help get the immersion of being in a real 737.

CDU:
A trackball is a good idea. The problem seem to be the cost. I have not been able to find a trackball with small footprint. Maybe just a "mousepad" as on your laptop could be even better. Touchscreen-overlay is out of the question for sure.

[Boeing Skunk Works]

The one I use is in the left bay of the forward equipment bay ahead of the throttle. It's almost the size of the FMC in the newer aircraft, so yep, it's pretty big. Pretty expensive too.