Overview of the 737 NG Electronic Flight Instrument system.

1. B 737 NG Ground School.
See the aircraft study guide at www.theorycentre.com
The information contained here is for training purposes only. It is of a general nature it is
unamended and does not relate to any individual aircraft. The FCOM must be consulted for
up to date information on any particular aircraft.

2. Common Display System
EFIS

3. Common Display System
The purpose of the CDS is to supply Navigation and Engine information to the flight crew.
The CDS uses 6 identical display units.
The computer for the CDS is the Display Electronics units (DEU) There are 2 DEU’s.
The DEU’s collect data from aircraft systems and change the data to video signals for the DU’s
The DEU’s also send data to various aircraft systems, including the engine electronic controllers
and the Flight Management computers.

4. Common Display System
The DU’s are referred to as follows.

5. DEU 1 Normally supplies the DEU 2 Normally supplies the
Captains Outboard DU. FO’s Outboard DU.
Captains Inboard DU. FO’s Inboard DU.
Upper DU. Lower DU.

6. Either DEU can supply all data to all 6 DU’s if required.
However it should be noted that some information is only
supplied by one DEU. As an example Hydraulic system A
passes pressure information to DEU 1. If DEU 1 fails this
information is lost.

7. SOURCE refers to the source of The DISPLAYS SOURCE select
information on the DU’s. panel is located on the forward
In AUTO with no failures both overhead panel.
DEU’s are supplying information
to the DU’s.

8. NOTE: There is only one selector on the flight deck
labelled ALL ON 1 and ALL ON 2.
There is no crew procedure to move this selector
away from AUTO.
This switch is used for Maintenance purposes only.
If a selector is labelled BOTH ON 1 or BOTH ON 2
there is a crew procedure that allows it to be moved.

9. With the SOURCE selector
set to AUTO If either DEU
fails the other DEU will
supply information to ALL 6
DU’s AUTOMATICALLY!

10. Manual selection of ALL ON 1 or
ALL ON 2 will switch off the other
DEU.
DSPLY SOURCE is shown in amber on both PFD’s when only one
DEU is supplying all of the DU’s

11. The Primary Flight Display The PFD is the ONLY thing
PFD which can be displayed on
Is normally displayed on the Outboard DU!
the outboard DU.

12. The Navigation Display
ND The ND can be
Is Normally displayed on MANUALLY selected to
the Inboard DU. the lower DU.

13. Primary Engine Indications Engine information is the
are NORMALLY displayed only information which can
on the upper DU be displayed on the upper
DU.

14. In compacted format
Secondary engine
information can be added
to the Primary information.
This happens when only 1
DU is available for Engine
information.

15. Secondary Information is
Normally displayed on the
Lower DU.
The lower DU is normally
black in flight. If a secondary
engine indication is in the
Caution Amber or Limit Red
range the indications will
appear automatically.

16. If the upper DU fails Primary
engine indications will
automatically be displayed on
the lower Display unit.

17. Pressing ENG once turns on
The lower DU is a the display. Push again blanks
Multi function display the MFD.
MFD Pushing SYS shows aircraft
The MFD is selected System information.
on the Engine control
panel above the
upper DU.

18. Captains Brightness Controls. F/O’s Brightness Controls.

19. Captains Brightness Controls. F/O’s Brightness Controls.
Inner knob is for Weather Radar and Terrain brightness control
Because a Navigation display can be shown on the
MFD the lower DU brightness control has an inner
brightness control for Weather radar and Terrain

20. 2 Remote Light Sensors mounted on the Glare shield.
Light sensors Generally it should be
Automatically adjust necessary to adjust DU
screen brightness as brightness only once per
ambient light flight. Any light condition
conditions vary. changes should be
accommodated automatically.
Local Light Sensor

21. DISPLAY SELECT PANELS

22. The display select panels are normally set to NORM.
If either outboard DU fails the PFD is automatically displayed on the inboard DU

23. There is no auto switching if an inboard DU fails.

24. Manual selection of INBD PFD will force the PFD to move to the Inboard DU.
You can only see one PFD on each side.

25. Selecting OUTBD PFD blanks the Inboard DU.

26. Selecting ENG PRI blanks the upper DU and displays Primary
Engine indications on the Inboard DU. You can only display
Primary Engine on one DU.

27. Selecting MFD will make the inboard DU an MFD it can be blank or
show Secondary Engine or Systems information as selected on the
Engine control panel.

28. If the Upper DU fails. The Primary Engine indications are
automatically displayed on the lower DU.

29. If the Upper DU fails the lower DU will normally show Primary
engine indication.
In this condition only one DU is available for Engine indications.
If ENG is selected on the engine control panel compacted
secondary engine information will be displayed.

30. NOTE: You must see Primary
engine indications. It is not possible
to display systems indications on
the lower DU if the upper DU is
failed.
If the Upper DU fails the lower DU will normally show Primary
engine indication.
In this condition only one DU is available for Engine indications.
If ENG is selected on the engine control panel compacted
secondary engine information will be displayed.

31. To see systems information you can select one inboard DU to MFD

32. Selecting ENG PRI will blank the upper DU and display engine
indications on the lower DU.

33. Selecting ENG PRI will blank the upper DU and display engine
indications on the lower DU.
Selecting ND will display either the Captains or FO’s ND on the
lower DU.

34. Selecting ENG PRI will blank the upper DU and display engine
indications on the lower DU.
Selecting ND will display either the Captains or FO’s ND on the
lower DU.
The Captain and FO may have different ND displays selected.
If both select ND the Captains ND has priority on the lower DU.

35. EFIS CONTROL PANEL

36. There are 2 EFIS control panels one for the Captain and one for the FO.

37. On the Displays Source select
panel the switch labelled
CONTROL PANEL selects
the EFIS control panels.

38. The control switch is usually in On the Displays Source select
the NORMAL selection this panel the switch labelled
allows The Left EFIS control CONTROL PANEL selects
panel to control the PFD and ND the EFIS control panels.
on the left side and the right on
the right.

39. If an EFIS control panel
should fail. Selecting
BOTH to the working
panel enables one panel
to control the Left and
Right DU’s
Can the Captains PFD and ND be controlled with this
selection?

40. Primary Flight Display (PFD)

41. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Auto Flight: Flight
mode annunciators

42. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Commanded speed
FMC or MCP

43. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Current Airspeed

44. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Attitude Indicator.

45. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
G/S or Mach
Shows G/S until
0.4 Mach and then
Mach number

46. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Autopilot FD Status

47. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
MCP
ALTITUDE

48. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Current Altitude

49. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Vertical Speed
Indicator.

50. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Current Heading

51. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Current Track

52. Primary Flight Display (PFD)
MCP Selected
Heading

53. ATTITUDE INDICATIONS

54. ATTITUDE INDICATIONS

55. ATTITUDE INDICATIONS

56. ATTITUDE INDICATIONS

57. ATTITUDE INDICATIONS

58. ATTITUDE INDICATIONS

59. Instrument Landing Systems Indications

60. Instrument Landing Systems Indications

61. Instrument Landing Systems Indications

62. Instrument Landing Systems Indications

63. Instrument Landing Systems Indications

64. Instrument Landing Systems Indications

65. Instrument Landing Systems Indications

67. CAUTION: The information here is general there are a number of options available.

68. CAUTION: The information here is general there are a number of options available.

75. Note: The Green Baro Bar has been
removed the 4700 foot bug is still shown.
With Radio as the minimums setting The
Baro bug will remain Green.

76. SPEED REFERENCE SELECTOR
Used when the FMC speed setting is not available (FMC FAIL)
AUTO Speeds from FMC

77. SPEED REFERENCE SELECTOR
Used when the FMC speed setting is not available (FMC FAIL)
V1 and VR On the Ground
only.
Displays set speed on
PFD.
Inner knob used to set
desired speed.

78. SPEED REFERENCE SELECTOR
Used when the FMC speed setting is not available (FMC FAIL)
WT. Allows entry of Gross weight
on Ground or in Flight.
Sets the UP BUG for flap setting

79. SPEED REFERENCE SELECTOR
Used when the FMC speed setting is not available (FMC FAIL)
VREF- In flight. Allows setting
of Landing VREF

80. SPEED REFERENCE SELECTOR
Used when the FMC speed setting is not available (FMC FAIL)
Allows another manual bug to be set.
This is white and called BUG 5.

81. SPEED REFERENCE SELECTOR
Used when the FMC speed setting is not available (FMC FAIL)
SET- Displays Manually set bugs.
Speed display blanks when SET
selected

82. SPEED REFERENCE SELECTOR
Used when the FMC speed setting is not available (FMC FAIL)
SET- Displays Manually set bugs.
AUTO Speeds from FMC

83. PFD FAILURE FLAGS

84. PFD FAILURE FLAGS

85. PFD FAILURE FLAGS

86. PFD FAILURE FLAGS

87. PFD FAILURE FLAGS

88. PFD FAILURE FLAGS

90. How many display units are there in the common display
system?

91. How many display units are there in the common display
system?

92. How many display units are there in the common display
system?
How do we refer to this display unit?

93. How many display units are there in the common display
system?
How do we refer to this display unit? Captains Outboard display unit.

94. How Many Display Electronic Units are there?

95. How Many Display Electronic Units are there?

96. If the amber annunciator ROLL appears on the lower Right
side of the PFD this indicates that:

97. If the amber annunciator ROLL appears on the lower Right
side of the PFD this indicates that:
The Captains and F/O’s ROLL display disagree by more
than 5°

98. If the amber annunciator ROLL appears on the lower Right
side of the PFD this indicates that:
The Captains and F/O’s ROLL display disagree by more
than 5°
The MACH digital counter at the bottom of the PFD speed
tape will display When the current MACH number is:

99. If the amber annunciator ROLL appears on the lower Right
side of the PFD this indicates that:
The Captains and F/O’s ROLL display disagree by more
than 5°
The MACH digital counter at the bottom of the PFD speed
tape will display When the current MACH number is:
MACH 0.4

100. The amber message NO VSPEEDS is displayed because?

101. The amber message NO VSPEEDS is displayed because?
V1 or VR is not selected on the ground.

102. The amber message NO VSPEEDS is displayed because?
V1 or VR is not selected on the ground.
What will happen during takeoff if pitch attitude reaches
the PLI indicators?

103. The amber message NO VSPEEDS is displayed because?
V1 or VR is not selected on the ground.
What will happen during takeoff if pitch attitude reaches
the PLI indicators?
Indicates STICK SHAKER ACTIVATION FOR Current conditions.

104. What can be displayed on the outboard display unit?

105. What can be displayed on the outboard display unit?
PFD ONLY

106. What can be displayed on the outboard display unit?
PFD ONLY
What Can be displayed on the Upper Display
Unit?

107. What can be displayed on the outboard display unit?
PFD ONLY
What Can be displayed on the Upper Display
Unit?
Engine Primary display or Compacted engine Display
ONLY

108. First Officers Outboard DU fails. What Happens?

109. Auto Switching from Outboard DU to Inboard DU.
You MUST SEE A PFD. The ND is displaced.
If required the ND can be selected to the Lower
DU.

110. What is the meaning of this indication?

111. A single DEU has failed and all DU’s are supplied from one
remaining DEU.

112. When is the DISPLAYS SOURCE selector set to ALL ON 1 or ALL
ON 2?

113. When is the DISPLAYS SOURCE selector set to ALL ON 1 or ALL
ON 2?

114. An amber CDS FAULT light illuminated on both PFD’s prior to engine start indicates:

115. An amber CDS FAULT light illuminated on both PFD’s prior to engine start indicates:
A Non dispatchable CDS fault has occurred.

116. What is this called?

117. What is this called?
EFIS CONTROL PANEL

118. What is this called?
EFIS CONTROL PANEL
How many are there?

119. What is this called?
EFIS CONTROL PANEL
How many are there?

120. If the amber annunciator PITCH appears on the lower left side of the PFD this indicates that:

121. If the amber annunciator PITCH appears on the lower left side of the PFD this indicates that:
The captains and first officers pitch angle display varies by more than 5°

123. Captains Attitude information
comes from the Left ADIRU.
First officers from the Right
ADIRU. The amber flags
indicate a disagreement
between the 2 ADIRU’s.
See IRS lesson for more
information on ADIRU.

124. NAVIGATION DISPLAY

125. EXPANDED MAP
The word expanded is not normally used.
The expanded display is referred to as
MAP or VOR or Approach.

126. MAP
Current heading
pointer
Ground speed
True Air Speed Current Track line
TAS only above 100 Knots. and Range scale

127. EXPANDED MAP
MAP
Wind Direction
Wind Speed
Wind Arrow
Displayed if wind is more
than 6 knots.
Only displayed when
TAS is above 101 Knots
Same reference as MAP
(MAG or TRU)
ACTIVE WAYPOINT

128. EXPANDED MAP
MAP
MCP Selected
Heading Bug

129. MAP CENTRED
Heading dashed line
In LNAV or VOR/LOC
Removed 10 seconds
after last heading
selection.

130. VOR and ADF needles on the ND
(C) Cyan Blue.
(G) Green.

131. Thin needle for No 1
Thick needle for No 2

132. Tip Indicates present
position
Aircraft Symbol
VOR CTR and APP CTR Current Track
Centre Indicates Present position
Indicates Position
In PLAN mode only.

133. POSITION TREND
Indicates where the FMC
expects to be in 30, 60 or 90
seconds depending on Map
scale selected.
Each segment = 30 seconds
10 miles or less 1 segment
30 seconds

134. POSITION TREND
20 miles 2 segments
60 Seconds
30 Seconds

135. POSITION TREND
More than 20 miles
20 miles 2 segments 3 segments.
60 Seconds 90 Seconds
30 Seconds 60 Seconds
30 Seconds

136. Green ARC Indicates the
approximate position where
Mode Control Panel (MCP)
altitude will be reached
under current conditions.
Climbing or descending.
See the presentation Auto flight for more information on the MCP.

137. VNAV PATH POINTER
400 feet vertical deviation
AIRCRAFT POINTER FMC Calculated
Vertical Path.

138. VNAV PATH POINTER
Digital numeric Display in WHITE when 30 feet from centre.
Above indication for low and below for high.
AIRCRAFT POINTER
FMC Calculated
Vertical Path. Aircraft
3120 feet high.
Displayed during
Descent only.

139. VOR Bearing Vectors
VOR symbol is
FMC generated
from navigation
database
Select Position to display.
Only available in Map and
Tip of Triangle is FMC position. MAP Centre.
VOR symbol is generated from FMC
navigation database.

140. VOR Bearing Vectors
VOR symbol is
FMC generated
from navigation
database
Select Position to display.
Only available in Map and
Green radial line is MAP Centre.
RAW DATA from
Nav Radio length is
DME to map scale.

141. The aircraft is crossing the NOT HERE This is the FMC
200 Radial of this VOR stored position only.
The VOR is actually here
as received by the
Navigation radio.
This picture represents a map shift

142. VOR MODE
A Navigation radio
must be manually
tuned to a VOR
station. CRS is set on
Left course for
navigation radio 1 and
Right course for Nav 2

143. VOR CENTERED

144. APP MODE
Both MCP course
must be set to ILS
inbound course for a
dual autopilot landing.
Localiser Deviation scale
Glide Slope Deviation
Scale

145. PLAN MODE.
CTR indication on legs page shows
which waypoint is currently in the centre
of the ND
See FMC for more information.

146. PLAN MODE.
Used for flight planning only. STEP
prompt allows you to step through
the flight plan one waypoint at a time

147. Bearing pointers on the ND are what colour?

148. Bearing pointers on the ND are what colour?
Cyan for ADF and Green for VOR’s.

149. Bearing pointers on the ND are what colour?
Cyan for ADF and Green for VOR’s.

150. A green arc is displayed on the NAV display this indicates:

151. A green arc is displayed on the NAV display this indicates:
The approximate map position where MCP altitude will be
reached.

152. A green arc is displayed on the NAV display this indicates:
The approximate map position where MCP altitude will be
reached.

153. The END of EFIS
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