FMC/CDU Programming

BOEING 737 NG
Small guide to the FMC/CDU
with basic and semi-advanced functions
(and list of error messages)

-600

-700

-800

-900

Rev 2.7 - ENG 07/31/23 (01/11/23) Marco Ramondino Simulation only - not for real flight
 Index

General informations …………………...………… 3 Approach Ref & alternate destinations …...…... 27

Init ref page ……………………….…………...….. 7 Holding page ………………………………...…... 28

Pos Init page ……………………….…………...… 8 Progress page ……………………………..……. 29

Route entry …………………………………………9 Route page …………………………………...….. 30

Perf Init …………………………………...………. 11 Fix page ……………………………………..…… 31

Takeoff ………..………………………...………....12 N1Limit page ……………………………...……... 32

Dep/Arr ……..……………………………...….…. 14 Missed approach ………………………...……... 33

Legs …………………………………....…………. 16

Discontinuity …………………….…………….…. 17 Preflight synthetic ……………………….. 34

Waypoint modification …………………….……. 18 Enroute synthetic ………………………... 35

Climb page …………………………………….… 24 FMC messages …………..……….……....36

Cruise page ………………………………….….. 25 FMC/CDU variants …..………….………...41

Des page ……………………………………..….. 26

Simulation use only - not for real flight

FMC/CDU Programming

Flight data entry is essential to get the aircraft from point A to point B.
All flight management, from take-off to landing, is entrusted to the FMS (Flight
Management System), which interacts directly with the autopilot and is
programmed/managed by:

FMC/CDU EFIS NAVIGATION DISPLAY

(MCDU)* (Electronic Flight Instrument System)

Display mode
Waypoints
editing mode
activation
Range

The EFIS (or EFCP), in addition to

managing most of the navigation display
modes, performs a series of other functions
that do not concern the display of the route,
such as, for example, the setting of the
altimeter and the minimum (and others).

Enter/modify route and flight data

* In particular, the version installed on the 737 NG (-600/-700/-800/-900) is named MCDU

 MCDU overview
(multi-function control display unit)

LINE SELECT KEYS (LSK)

They select the rows to be
modified or activate options

MENU/PAGES and EXEC

KEYS
They allow you to navigate
between pages. The EXEC key
makes operative some settings
and changes

ALPHANUMERIC KEYBOARD
Used to enter the data to be
entered
The letters “E,N,S,W” appear framed
because in some functions they
represent the corresponding cardinal
points

This guide deals specifically with the MCDU version for the 737 Zibo, but in principle the instructions are valid for all variants,
since the operating principle is the same. Depending on the aircraft models (for example 737 standard of Xplane, PMDG, etc.) or
other variants of the same device (for example CDU or FANS-MCDU) the name and layout of some keys and pages change, but
the however, the programming method remains identical. Simulation only - not for real flight
 Simulation only - not for real flight

Main menu standard cycle

When programming, some menus have a defined sequence.

The cycle occurs according to this flow:

INIT REF POS INIT RTE PERF INIT N1LIMIT TAKEOFF

POS REF RTE 1

DEPARTURE TAKEOFF
pg2

RTE 2
ecc

DEP
ARR

DEP ARR
Rwy,sid Rwy,star Beyond this sequence, it will always be
possible to access the pages using the
menu keys
 Simulation only - not for real flight

Pages brief overview

INIT REF POS INIT RTE PERF INIT N1 LIMIT TAKEOFF
Contains Setting the current Origin and Weights, Performance and CG, flaps, elevator
information about position of the destination, flight temperatures, cruise derate settings trim, speed refs
the system and the aircraft number, altitude, fuel quantity,
aircraft. airways ¦ waypoints transition altitude
Indicates landing
references POS REF PG1 PG2 PG3 Ecc PG2
(flaps/speed ref) Contains GPS more Runway conditions
coordinates airways ¦ waypoints choice
On ILS approaches ¦
indicates NAV frequency
and COURSE

DEP/ARR LEGS CLB (CLIMB) CRZ (CRUISE) DES (DESCENT)

Runway selection Monitor and edit* Monitor and edit Monitor and edit Monitor and edit
DEP ¦ ARR waypoints climb settings (rate, cruise (speed) descent (speed,
Rwy & SID ¦ Rwy & STAR tgt. speed, restrictions)
restrictions)
* waypoint modification is FORECAST
only possible with the Entering
EFIS in PLAN mode descent winds

HOLD PROG FIX

Holding course Flight progression Area of interest
monitoring (times, tracking around a
consumption) waypoint or apt The POS INIT, PERF
INIT, TAKEOFF pages
(and their subpages)
are accessible only
from the INIT REF
menu
 Simulation only - not for real flight

INIT REF PAGE

It is the first page that will appear at the start of the sequence and contains information on:

Maximum engine
power in the
Aircraft model performance
database

NAV database used AIRAC cycle

Operating system nr.

and update (U)

From this page select

POS INIT
to start the flight planning
cycle
 PREFLIGHT (Step1) Simulation only - not for real flight

Programming If the line “SET IRS POS” is already filled in, this step
INITIAL POSITION (POS INIT) can be skipped.

Entering actual position and GPS

coordinates:
On this page, the system asks us to set the current position of
the aircraft. Then enter:

Apt ICAO
code
Select GPS L or R (indifferent) to
copy the coordinates
GATE
(optional)
go back to the previous page

select SET IRS POS key to paste

The position currently shown is the last detected, so not

necessarily the real one. It is therefore necessary to indicate
to the system what the current exact position is, going to the
next page through the NEXT PAGE button

If the aircraft is not in the cold & dark state or is set by default with the systems already
started, it is not necessary to enter the geographical coordinates as these have already
been acquired by the system: it will therefore be sufficient to enter only the airport and
possibly the gate where our aircraft is currently located.
 PREFLIGHT (Step2)... Simulation only - not for real flight

ROUTE ENTRY

after the previous step, we will have the In the page that will open, insert
screen with all the entered data, like this
Origin Destination
airport airport

Flight number
(optional)

Select ROUTE Select NEXT PAGE (RTE in other version)

to go to route entry page

This page will open, requiring the

filling of airways (VIA column) and
waypoints (TO column)

AIRWAYS WAYPOINTS
identified in the flight identified in the flight
plan by letters and plan by letters only
numbers
 ...PREFLIGHT Simulation only - not for real flight

Once you have entered your Once all route points

waypoints and airways, you will have been entered
see a screen like this correctly, the
DISCONTINUITY
wording should
disappear. Then click on
ACTIVATE and then on
EXEC to make the
system acquire the
route

Now on the NAVIGATION

If only route points are entered, the DISPLAY we will see the route
wording DIRECT will appear drawn similar to this
automatically in the VIA column.

The wording DISCONTINUITY or

ROUTE DISCONTINUITY will
appear until all route points have
been entered or if there is an error
entering the points.
The correction of such errors will be
covered in the following pages.

As we add waypoints, the system will

automatically add more pages
 PREFLIGHT (Step3) Simulation only - not for real flight

PERF INIT SETTINGS

After previous point, the PERF INIT

item will return to the display. Select
it to go to the aircraft performance
configuration page

TAKEOFF WEIGHT (aircraft+pax+cargo+fuel). It

is entered automatically, otherwise it can be
found in the avitab on the FUEL, WEIGHT &
BALANCE page)

CRUISE ALTITUDE
ESTIMATED FUEL QUANTITY for the flight Indicated on the flight plan or by ATC

CRUISE WIND
ZERO FUEL WEIGHT + passengers + cargo Indicated in the flight plan at the altitude
without fuel (sometimes it is entered corresponding to the T/C
automatically by clicking on the button,
otherwise it can be found in the avitab on the
FUEL,WEIGHT & BALANCE page) ISA DEVIATION, indicated in the flight
plan or found in the airport information
or on Simtoolkitpro/Volanta
FUEL RESERVE
(total charged - estimated consumption)
OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE
at the T/C indicated in the flight plan

COST INDEX is a value that goes from 0 to 100 TRANSITION ALTITUDE

and indicates how much we want (or is expected It is automatically set by the system
by the company) the flight to be cheap: the according to the geographical area in
lower it is, the cheaper the flight will be. which you are flying, but you can change
it if it is indicated differently in the flight
On average it varies from 50 to 80 and this value plan
will affect some aircraft performance, such as speed
(which however can be changed Now select N1LIMIT item to set
as we will see later)
the engine rate
 PREFLIGHT (Step4)... Simulation only - not for real flight

TAKEOFF SETTINGS
From the N1 LIMIT item, which will appear automatically once the previous step has been completed, let's
go to the engine performance settings page

Set a "fictitious"
temperature, higher than
the real one already Choose the thrust
indicated, if we want to profile:
force the derate CLB more
accentuated
CLB-1 intermediate
CLB-2 sweeter

The wording SEL will appear

next to the selected option

Now select TAKEOFF item

 ...PREFLIGHT Simulation only - not for real flight
The TAKEOFF REF page will
open, so let's go straight to the This page will open, for setting the runwyay
next page from the NEXT conditions
PAGE key Click on this
button until the
correct condition
is highlighted

Enter the runway

wind (which can
be found in the
flight plan, in the
airport weather
or on
Simtoolkitpro)

Then go back to the previous page (PREV PAGE key) to...

Set flaps value

(usually 5 for takeoff)
Set ref speeds, by
only ckick on V1, VR,
Obtain the ELEVATOR TRIM value, V2 keys
which will appear here. (the speeds calculated by
It is sufficient to press the the system will be copied)
corresponding key to automatically
enter the CG (if it is not entered
automatically, can be found in the
avitab on page In some versions the
FUEL, WEIGHT & BALANCE) DEPARTURE item is not
shown, but it is necessary
to go to the DEP ARR
menu using the
Now select the DEPARTURE item to enter runway and SID appropriate key
 PREFLIGHT (Step5)... Simulation only - not for real flight

DEPARTURE & ARRIVAL SETTINGS

(DEP/ARR page)
As we have seen, from the preflight menu sequence, you arrive (through the TAKEOFF page) at the
DEPARTURE menu
INIT REF POS INIT RTE PERF INIT N1LIMIT TAKEOFF

From here a page will open which contains only the settings for the DEPARTURE
start, divided into two columns: the SIDS on the left, the RUNWAYS
on the right.
2 1
The system will then return a
It is advisable to first select screen with the rwy and the sid
the runway¹ and then the (and possible transition)
sid², since in this way the activated, marked by the wording
system will discard all the SEL
sids not foreseen for the
selected runway and it will
be easier to find the one
indicated in the flight plan
(as well as reducing the
probability of error).

The same menu can be reached from the DEP/ARR button, which in this case will
contain the settings for both the departure and arrival airports.
The data entry procedure is identical in both cases.
 ...PREFLIGHT Simulation only - not for real flight

From the DEP/ARR button, will open a menu showing the departure and arrival airports as
programmed in the preflight, and also a line for alternate.
The entry procedure is similar in both cases
Press the corresponding button to set
each airport as
departure or arrival

For
programming
the departure,
please refer to
the previous Selecting ARR will therefore open a menu
step similar to that of departure, containing the
STARS and the runways with related
approaches

After selection,
the system will
return a screen
As a rule, the arrival setting does not placed on preflight but during the
with the track
flight (close to the T/D, but also later), since air traffic control can modify
and star
the runway (and relative star) foreseen by the flight plan, which are in fact
activated,
estimated and not always effective. Select runway and STAR as required by marked with
However, those of the flight plan can be entered during the preflight, and the flight plan or communicated by ATC the words SEL
then modified if necessary.
or ACT
 PREFLIGHT (Step6) Simulation only - not for real flight

LEGS and route check

Once the initial programming has been completed, it is
necessary to check on the LEGS page that the route
has been entered correctly and there are no
discontinuities, which otherwise must be corrected.

The LEGS page is accessible from the dedicated

button.
This page shows:

Speed and altitude

Distance from waypoint below the transition level
altitude is expressed in Ft,
above in FL
On navigation display we will
Speed & altitude restrictions see a screen like this
Next to the speed or altitude we
could find the letters A (above) or B
Waypoint and (below), which respectively indicate
its orientation below or above the value to which
they refer.
In the example it is therefore
expected to fly above 4000 ft

with l’EFIS in PLAN mode,

the item STEP will activate
Using the STEP button, you will pass from each waypoint to the next
one.
In this way it will be possible to verify the absence of discontinuity and the
correctness of the inserted points.
 PREFLIGHT (Step7 =fine preflight=) Simulation only - not for real flight

DISCONTINUITY CORRECTION This is a simplified

technique, suitable for
In case of discontinuity, the writing DISCONTINUITY simulation. In real flights
there are precise checks and
OR ROUTE DISCONTINUITY will be indicated at the point where this occurs procedures for correcting
these errors

The breakpoint will be

labeled THEN and
represented by empty
spaces

It is possible to correct the

error by selecting the first
waypoint after the Press EXEC key to activate
discontinuity and pasting it the change
on the empty line.
Failure to press EXEC will
only result in the display of
a preview of the corrected
route, but not its execution.

After correction, DISCONTINUITY

will disappear and the waypoints list
will be displayed without interruption.
 ENROUTE Simulation only - not for real flight

WAYPOINTS MODIFICATION (LEGS MENU) For this procedures, the EFIS can be set in
MAP mode
On cruise, it may be necessary to make changes to the route.
This can be done from the LEGS menu, acting on the individual waypoints:
1- Go directly to a next waypoint (direct to)
It is possible to go from the current position to a subsequent waypoint, skipping
one or more along the route

For example: We will now see

from our position ELP as the next
on the route, the waypoint,
next waypoint highlighted in
would be TFD (in magenta (as the
magenta since one we are going
that's where we're to reach).
headed), but we Click on EXEC to
want to go activate the
straight to ELP. change.

A new route will be

drawn on the
navigation display
To cross which takes us from
intermediate our position directly
waypoints, simply to ELP, skipping the
select the ELP intermediate
point to copy it, waypoints. After the
then paste it in EXEC command the
place of TFD old route will
(which would disappear and the
have been the modified one will be
next waypoint). activated.
 ENROUTE Simulation only - not for real flight
WAYPOINTS MODIFICATION (LEGS MENU)
2- Speed & altitude modifications
It is possible to modify also the speed and altitude for each waypoint
For example, let's change the speed and altitude of ELP waypoint
Spd Alt.
1 3 In this case instead
we want to change
the speed to 0.79
at ELP it is Ma : it will therefore
planned to fly at be enough to write
0.78 Ma .79/ and enter it
and FL 370 next to ELP
Some systems want also the
altitude to be repeated,
so .79/370
.79/

2 4 Here instead we change

Let's imagine we speed and altitude for ELP
need to change and for SHUCK, also
the altitude to changing the speed in Kt
FL345: just write for the latter.
/345 and put it The commands will be:
next to ELP .77/261
290/220

The process is identical for

/345
altitudes in Ft, where you simply
enter the new altitude in Ft
instead of FL.
Press EXEC for the changes to take effect (for example, for SHUCK
290/22000)

Depending on the flight stage (climb, cruise or descent), to increase the speed on a waypoint it may be necessary to first change
the target speed for the related flight stage (if it is set to a lower value), respectively from the menus CLB, CRZ o DES
 ENROUTE Simulation only - not for real flight

ADD WAYPOINTS This can occur for various needs: to

draw a more accurate vertical profile, to
manage speed restrictions, to smooth
In some situation, it may be necessary to add new waypoints not out a too sharp turn or other ATC
requests.
included in the original route.
The flight management system allows to create custom duplicates of
existing waypoints, with distance and radial as we like, different from
the originals
By setting the EFIS in PLAN mode, we will see our programmed route on the navigation
display, with the cardinal points on the 4 sides (North always facing upwards), and the
respective compass degrees (North 360 or 0, East 90, S 180, West270)
Keep in mind the compass
degrees because (depending on
the need) we will estimate the
position of the new waypoint on
09
< NIN the map by according to them

264
<10 NIXIN
RW26 < < GRIEG
84
< KERNS

Let's assume we have this route

in which the first 4 waypoints are well aligned (between 10° and 9°), but an "unnatural" turn is expected on the final from 9° of NIN to 264 of RW26
 ENROUTE Simulation only - not for real flight
ADD WAYPOINTS
1- With different distance and radial
Starting from this example course, let's imagine we want to correct the angle
between NIN and RW26, which would force us into an impossible turn, having
to go from 9° of NIN to 264 of RW26
We must therefore create a new point
after NIN, positioning it on a radial that
allows us to soften the angle, which for
< NIN example we estimate 5 nm ahead, to
355°.
< NIXIN Then select NIN and once it appears in
RW26< < GRIEG the bottom line, enter the command
< KERNS 355/05 next to it without adding spaces
(where 355 are the degrees and 05
are the forward nm) NIN355/05

<

The result will be a

Paste the new new route with a
waypoint on NIN
< < NIN
NI01 waypoint called NI01
and the point NI01 < NIXIN following NIN, at a
will be added, distance of 5 nm from
which is our wpt RW26 < < GRIEG it and on rad 355°
with its radial and
the distance from < KERNS We have thus eliminated
NIN that we have the unlikely angle expected
set. from the original course,
replacing it with a smoother
turn

<
EXEC for the changes to take effect In summary, the command is
After route checking waypointDEGREES/NM
ADD WAYPOINTS ENROUTE Simulation only - not for real flight

(1- With different distance and radial)

Starting from the same example route, let's now imagine creating a new point this time before NIN, as in the previous example on a
radial which allows us to soften the angle. In this case, having to insert the new point before the existing one, we will have to position it
on a radial in the quarter of the compass opposite to the one where the wpt we are duplicating is located, which for example we
estimate at 45° and 5 nm before.
So we always select NIN and once it
appears in the line, without adding
spaces, we give the command
< NIN 045/-05 next to it (where 045 are the
degrees and -05 are the nm
< NIXIN backwards)
RW26 < < GRIEG
< KERNS
NIN045/-05

<

Here is the new

Paste the new NIN route with wpt NI01
waypoint on NIN < NI01 before NIN of 5 nm,
<
will be added our < NIXIN on rad. 45°
wpt NI01 with its
radial and distance RW26 < < GRIEG Depending on the need,
from NIN, that we for each wpt we can add
have assigned < KERNS several personalized
duplicates, and each
one will be named ***01,
***02, etc.

<
EXEC for the changes to take effect In summary, the command is
After route checking waypointDEGREES/-NM
 ENROUTE Simulation only - not for real flight
ADD WAYPOINTS
2- with only distance (on his own radial) This can serve several purposes, for
example to manage a better ascent or
This function is used to create further waypoints on the same radial as the existing ones, descent profile (assigning different
but at a different distance: a new waypoint will therefore be created "aligned" to the one altitudes to the new wpts), to manage
we are duplicating, but moved forward or backward respect to it. the speed on each point (or any speed
restrictions) or simply to have more
points of reference along the route.
Taking as example the usual route and the usual waypoint of the previous paragraphs

< NIN
< NIXIN
RW26 < < GRIEG
< KERNS Select NIN and once it appears in the line, without adding spaces, Now paste on
write only / and the distance in nm at which we want to position the NIN and
new wpt forward, or preceded by the sign – if we want to position it EXEC to
backwards, like this activate
<

To move forward To move backward

waypoint/NM waypoint/-NM

So, assuming we want Assuming instead of

to move the wpt NIN 5 wanting to move the
nm forward, we will wpt NIN 5 nm back,
have we would have
NIN/05 NIN/-05

We will see the new wpt We will see the new wpt
placed here NIN/05 NIN/-05 placed here
 CLIMBING Simulation only - not for real flight

CLB (climb page)

This page can be reached from the CLB button
In essa sono contenute alcune impostazioni per la salita.

This is mainly an information page and normally it is not necessary to enter data as the parameters are entered automatically by the
system. However in some cases it is possible to change some settings, such as:
Target speed Climb rate

To be increased if a speed Set which factor to prioritize

greater than a given wpt is in the ascent.
to be achieved during the
ascent. Two options can be selected
alternatively:
Changing this parameter
could affect the climb rate.
maximum speed (horizontal)
possible

(less vertical inclination)

When (in the LEGS page) we want to

increase the speed on a wpt located before
the T/C, it is necessary that the target speed minimum possible distance
for the climbing is greater than or equal to
the one we want to set. (steeper climb at the expense of
speed)
So, for example, if we want to increase the
speed on the FLIPR wpt to 290 kts, as it is
on climbing we would first have to enable the
tgt speed at 290 kts or more.

The ENG OUT page is divided into LT ENG and RT ENG (left & right engine) and reports consultation data and settings in case of failure of one of the engines (the
same data is reported for the various phases of the flight, therefore also CRZ and des). In a regular flight, it is not recommended to change these parameters as the
correct settings calculated by the system would be cancelled. (Often this page is deactivated).
 ENROUTE Simulation only - not for real flight

CRZ (cruise page)

This page can be reached from the CRZ key
It contains mostly information, but also some cruise settings.

The settings displayed are entered automatically by the system, mainly based on the cost index that was entered in the preflight
phase (see previous par.).

The parameter that we may need to

modify is the target speed, which will
increase the cruising speed for the
whole cruise phase (therefore for all
the wpts between the T/C and the
T/D) flying in FMC Speed mode. Returns consultation data and settings in
the event of failure of one of the motors
(see previous par.)
It is also possible to select some
cruise modes:
Shows the status regarding the Required
ECON (Economy) mode: cruising Time of Arrival (if it is set in the PROG
with the lowest possible fuel page)
consumption (based on the set
cost index) When the C/I is set to 0, in ECON mode could
LRC (Long Range Cruise) mode: also be shown the MRC option (Maximum Range
minor adjustments possible by the Cruise), which reduces the speed to the
autothrottle (more uniform thrust at necessary minimum maximizing consumption.
the expense of consumption)
 DESCENT
DES (descent page)
This page can be reached from the DES key
It contains mostly descent settings.
The descent can be managed in two
ways: PATH DES This is the default mode,
displayed when the page is opened.
It guarantees descent rates by varying From SPD DES
the pitch angle to follow the altitude, mode you can go
sacrificing speed. back to PATH DES
using the key
corresponding to
SPD DES It can be selected by the the item (which will
corresponding button. appear in place of
It strictly adheres to the speeds. It the previous one)
follows the set target speed and
respects any programmed restrictions.

In both modes we can vary the speed From the FORECAST menu you
set by the system, as we have already access the weather data entry
seen for the CLIMB and CRUISE page.
profiles We are reminded of the transition
level and asked to enter:

Temperature ISA DEV

(expected) and QNH for
for Anti ICE the arrival
airport

We will enter 3 different

Now returning to INIT
altitudes in descending REF menu, the
order starting from the T/D APPROACH REF page
and the relative winds will be displayed, in
(indicated in the flight plan),
as in the example
which it is necessary to
240 100/025 enter some parameters
FL dir/vel for landing, which we
will see on the next
page.
Simulation only - not for real flight
 ENROUTE DESCENT

APPROACH REF (INIT REF page) &

ALTN DES (Alternate Destinations page)

Now going to the INIT REF menu

the APPROACH REF page will open, where

They are displayed It is requested

Actual total weight

Inserting FLAPS & SPEED REF for
landing,
selecting one of the corresponding keys *
Runway data
and

ILS Frequency & Course paste on relative line

for autoland
* usually, the correct setting for
autoland is 30 or 40 °

Will also be displayedhe an

item for accessing a further list
of airports, which will be closer
if you move away from one of
Also appears the ALTN DEST item, those provided in the present
to access the menu for entering the alternate airport, menu. (Sometimes this feature
which shows the list of airports closest to the one is disabled).
scheduled for arrival, with the relative estimate of fuel
that will be consumed In case of selecting an
alternate airport, it is
recommended to always
check on the LEGS page
that there are no
discontinuities.
Simulation only - not for real flight
 ENROUTE DESCENT

HOLD (holding page)

From the HOLD key we have access to the holding pattern
settings page.
There are two ways to set up entry to the holding:
- selecting a waypoint from the LEGS page if you want to enter from a
defined point;
- using the PPOS function (Present POSition) if you want to enter from your
current position.
The database will provide the direction of the turn (L or R) and the inbound
course. If there are preset holdings in the database, these will be proposed
automatically.
Once the holding
In the HOLD menu we will see: has started,
instead of the word
MOD we will see
ACT, and the EXIT
HOLD option will
The MOD wording (highlighted): indicates appear below, to
Target speed in the
that we are in a configuration mode and not select the exit at
holding (it will
in execution, which will activate only from the end of the lap
automatically be set to
sending with EXEC key in progress
the best speed to
guarantee maximum
Entry point autonomy)

Turning (L o R) Maximum theoretical

& route number of laps we can Once the exit is
do (calculated based requested (EXIT
Time &
on the current fuel, the HOLD and
distance
fuel flow and the EXEC), the EXIT
(calculated by
reserve entered in ARMED item will
the system with
preflight be highlighted up
respect to
altitude) to the exit point.
This indicates that
the aircraft is
ready to exit
holding at the first
useful point
Simulation only - not for real flight
 CLIMBING ENROUTE DESCENT

PROG (progress page)

The PROG page

contains information on the flight progress such as distances, consumption
and timing.
It also contains the RTA (Required Time of Arrival) function,
used to try to reach a specific wpt at a specific time (this
function is not available in some versions).
To use this function, you must have entered a flight plan in the FMC
complete with all performance data, then enter:
Aircraft position
and flight level

Next fix
waypoint requested
where you arrival time
Estimated arrival
want to apply (hours,
time to fix
the requested minutes and
arrival time seconds)
Remaining fuel

On approach, the
estimate tends to
exceed by about
1-200 kg. For an
accurate
calculation,
subtract 2-300 kg Verify the congruence of the entered RTA on the
of fuel. MOD RTA PROGRESS page

Modify the minimum or maximum speed limit for RTA

navigation on the PERF LIMITS page according to
the flight step (CLB, CRZ, DES)

Simulation only - not for real flight

 ENROUTE

RTE (route page)

On the RTE page we find information on the active route,

but in particular two items

MISSED APPRCH, to manage a

new route in case of missed
approach.*
(The management is the same The OFFSET function, for the
as the route programming compensation of strong winds.*
already seen previously). (Not always available).

There are also other functions

(RTE2, SAVE or REVERSE), also
these are not always active and
rarely used

*In some vresion these functions are inactive.

Simulation only - not for real flight
 ENROUTE DESCENT

FIX page

The FIX page contains some functions,

of which the most commonly used allows you to "draw" reference circles
with a given range around a fix (such as around an airport, to help us in
the final approach).

In the specific example, we place our references around the

Chicago airport at 5, 10 and 15 nm.

Enter the ICAO code of

the airport in this line

In the next 3 lines, insert

the radius around which
we want to draw the /5
circle (as in our example
5, 10 and 15 nm)
in this way:
/5
/10
/15
On the navigation display we will see our three
references as dotted circles around the indicated
point, with the radius that we have set.
This function is widely used to get an idea, for example,
where start the extension of the flaps and the landing
gear, or to remind us an area with constraints or
particular characteristics.
Simulation only - not for real flight
 CLIMBING ENROUTE DESCENT

N1 LIMIT page
The N1LIMIT page contains thrust parameters.
From here can be viewed/set the N1 turbine limits for all phases of flight .

In the preflight sequence, the system takes us to the menu that manages CLIMB mode only.
The N1LIMIT button gives access to the following complete menu with all the other modes.

Power of
N1 turbine
for each
engine

The default mode is AUTO (identified

by ACT)
Modalità Go-around mode

Max continuous thrust mode

Climb mode

Cruise mode

Reduced Climb mode (see Takeoff Ref)

These modes cannot be used if
SEL TEMP has not been set in the
TAKEOFF REF page

Simulation only - not for real flight

 CLIMBING ENROUTE DESCENT
MISSED APPROACH
It is possible to insert a route/procedure in advance in case of missed approach or go-
around. This page can be accessed in two ways:

1 From the RTE page, through the item "MISSED APPROACH" In both ways you get to the alternate
(line 4L) destinations page, from which you can
choose a new airport

2 In flight, from the INIT REF page, through the item "ALTN DEST"
(line 6R) From this page you can access the "NEAREST
AIRPORTS" menu, which directly contains the list of
the closest airports, indicating the time and fuel
needed to reach them

Simulation only - not for real flight

Preflight synthetic Waypoints

Departure/arrival settings
(apt, rwy, sid & star)

SET FLAPS
Settings for flaps, elev.
SET TRIM
trim., speed ref.

Weight, fuel, temp.,

wind, cost index

Derate choice

Route planning (ACTIVATE + EXEC)

Positioning

General info and preflight

sequence start
Simulation only - not for real flight
Enroute synthetic
Info and edit descent. Early descent
selection

Waypoints Speed setting

MAP mode: info and and landing flaps,
change speed/altitude ils freq and course info
PLAN mode: info and
add waypoints
SET FREQ. NAV1 & 2
SET CRS CPT & F/O

Landing:
Flight progression info rwy & starselection

Cruise info & target speed settings

Speed restrictions and climb settings

Simulation only - not for real flight

 FMC Alerting Messages

Display in the CDU scratchpad.

Illuminate the amber FMC light on the instrument panel.
Cause the EICAS advisory message FMC MESSAGE to display.
Illuminate the CDU message light (MSG).
Use the CLEAR key or correct the condition responsible for the message to remove the message.

CHECK ALT TGT

VNAV active and the airplane is between the MCP and FMC altitudes. VNAV maintains level flight.

CYCLE IRS OFF - NAV

With the airplane on the ground any IRS has detected a condition that requires cycling inertial power off and back to NAV.

DESCENT PATH DELETED

VNAV active and all waypoint altitude constraints defining the descent profile deleted.
(This message displays before execution of the modification which deletes the descent path).

DISCONTINUITY
LNAV active and the airplane has passed the last waypoint prior to a route discontinuity (except on a manually terminated leg, such as a VECTORS legs).

DRAG REQUIRED
VNAV active and additional drag required or Autothrottle off and less thrust required to maintain the VNAV descent path.

END OF OFFSET
LNAV active and two minutes prior to end of active route offset. AFDS maintains last heading if active route offset overflown.

END OF ROUTE
LNAV active and end of active route overflown. AFDS maintains last heading.

ENTER IRS POSITION

The flight crew-entered present position did not pass one of the IRS comparison checks, or the IRS is ready to change to navigate mode and has not received
a present position entry. Use the CLEAR key to remove this message.

FUEL DISAGREE or FUEL QTY ERROR

Totaliser Fuel Quantity and FMC calculated Fuel Quantity disagree by a significant amount.

INSUFFICIENT FUEL
Estimated fuel at destination less than entered RESERVES value.

IRS MOTION
An IRS has detected motion while in ALIGN.
 FMC Alerting Messages

IRS NAV ONLY

The FMC has been without radio or GPS updating for a predetermined period of time.

IRS POS/ORIGIN DISAGREE

Valid inertial position differs from active origin airport.

LIMIT ALT FLNNN

VNAV engaged and cruise altitude greater than VNAV limit altitude.

NAV DATA OUT OF DATE

The clock calendar date is after the active navigation database valid calendar cycle.

NAV INVALID - TUNE XXXX

RNAV or VOR approach procedures must have a specific navaid tuned or a valid signal is not being received.

NO ACTIVE ROUTE
LNAV is selected and no route is activated.

PERF/VNAV UNAVAILABLE
VNAV selected and either gross weight, cost index or cruise altitude are not entered.

PURGE UPDATES - POS 2

Multiple navaids rejected by the FMC due to a position error.

RESET MCP ALT

2 minutes prior to the top of descent point with VNAV active and MCP not set to an altitude below cruise altitude.

RESYNC FAIL - SINGLE FMC

Resynchronisation attempt failed and one FMC is shutdown.

RESYNCING OTHER FMC

Offside FMC has just powered up or failed comparison data check and is being resynchronised to onside FMC.

RW/ILS CRS ERROR

LOC mode armed and the selected ILS course is incorrect for the active route runway.

RW/ILS FREQ ERROR

Selected ILS frequency does not match frequency for runway in active route.
 FMC Alerting Messages

SET CLOCK TO UTC TIME

The UTC time from the GPS disagrees with the captains clock by more than 12 seconds.

SINGLE FMC OPERATION

One FMC is not operational.

TAKEOFF SPEEDS DELETED or VERIFY TAKEOFF SPEEDS

Selected V speeds have been deleted due to changes in takeoff performance or configuration data.

THRUST REQUIRED
VNAV active, Autothrottle disconnected, and additional thrust required to track VNAV descent path and maintain speed.

UNABLE NEXT ALT

VNAV active and climb not sufficient to comply with waypoint altitude constraint.

VERIFY POSITION
The difference between the FMC position and other position data exceeds a comparison threshold. The possible conflicts are:
- The left FMC position differs from the right FMC position;
- The radio position, with radio updating, differs from the FMC position.

VERIFY RNP
The default RNP has changed due to a change in flight phase and the flight crew entered RNP value exceeds the new default RNP value.

VIA OFFSET INVALID

Flight conditions invalidate the modification with a divert to an alternate airport via OFFSET.
 FMC Advisory Messages

FMC advisory messages are displayed on the CDU scratchpad and illuminate the CDU message light (MSG).
There are no EICAS messages associated with these messages and they do not cause the FMC light to illuminate.
Those messages which are caused by an entry error must be cleared before the entry can continue.

ARR N/A FOR RUNWAY

The runway/approach selected is not compatible with arrival selected.

CRS REVERSAL AT FA FIX

A conflict exists between the default final approach (FA) waypoint (result of a runway or VFR approach selection) and the flight plan before it.

DELETE
DEL key pushed.

HOLD AT XXXX
A waypoint not contained in the active route is entered into the “HOLD AT” item (on the RTE LEGS page), after selection of the HOLD function key. Selection
of HOLD AT XXXX into a RTE LEGS page waypoint line makes a holding fix at the XXXX waypoint.

INVALID DELETE
Deletion of selected data is not allowed.

INVALID ENTRY
Entry format or range is incorrect for the selected field or the entered airway or TO waypoint does not coincide with the navigation database.

INVALID TUNE REQUEST

Attempt to remotely tune a VOR is not valid.

KEY/FUNCTION INOP
Selected mode key is inoperative.

MANUALLY TUNED
Attempt to remotely tune a VOR that is manually tuned.

MAX ALT FL-XXX

The altitude entry on any CDU page is above the performance calculated maximum attitude.

NO ACTIVE ROUTE
DIR/INTC button pressed without an active route.

NOT IN DATABASE
Data is not in the route or the navigation database.
 FMC Advisory Messages

NOT ON INTERCEPT HEADING

LNAV selected and the airplane is outside active capture criteria and the present heading will not intercept the active leg.

ENTER IRS POSITION

The entered SET IRS POS disagrees with data in the IRS.

ROUTE FULL
The route is filled to the allowable capacity.

RUNWAY N/A FOR SID

Selected runway not compatible with SID.

RW/ILS FREQ ERROR

The selected ILS frequency does not match frequency for runway in active route.

STANDBY ONE
The FMC temporarily prevents further CDU inputs.

TIMEOUT-RESELECT
Communication between the FMC and the CDU has failed. The flight crew must reselect FMC on the CDU MENU page.

UNABLE CRZ ALT

Performance predicts a zero cruise time at the entered cruise altitude.

VOR AAA INVALID

Signal is lost from remotely tuned VOR (AAA is the identifier for the VOR).

XXXXX
Altitude set in the MCP window when VNAV is engaged, the CLB or CRZ page is displayed, and the altitude is above, within 4000 feet below, and not equal to
the CRZ ALT.
Variants

CDU MCDU FANS MCDU

(Control Display Unit) (Multi-Function Control Display Unit) (Future Air Navigation System CDU)

737 classic (-300 -400 -500) 737 NG (-600 -700 -800 -900) 737 MAX

Simulation only - not for real flight