Purpose of This Document

This document sets forth the desired characteristics of a Multi-Purpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU) intended for installation in commercial transport aircraft. The intent of this document is to provide general and specific design guidance for the development of the MCDU. It describes the desired operational capability of the equipment and the standards necessary to ensure interchangeability.

Equipment manufacturers should note that this document encourages them to produce maintenance-free, high performance equipment rather than that of minimum weight and size. They are at liberty to accomplish this objective by means of the techniques they consider to be the most appropriate. Their airline customers are interested primarily in the end result rather than the means employed to achieve it.

Avionics systems optimization can be achieved on board modern aircraft by minimizing the cost, weight and size of avionics. The use of one or more MCDUs will contribute to this goal.

By the use of identical MCDUs, the specific control and display units for ACARS/CMU, AIDS, CFDS and other systems can be eliminated. There would be substantial savings due to:

a. Elimination of CDU spares

b. Simplification of cockpit

c. Easier crew operation training (common procedures)

d. Flexibility to accommodate other systems (e.g., SATCOM, Mode S, etc.)

e. MCDU can be applicable to any aircraft.