B733 O'head panel colours (note Oz spelling :) )

[Checkboard]

Hi all!

Been absent from PPRuNe for the last three weeks, as I have been undertaking a type conversion to the B737-300. (I am sure you all noticed! :))

A question came up the other day about the different background colour that Boeing have used for different sections of the Overhead Panel, specifically the fuel panel, hydraulic panel and such (I am away from my diagrams at the moment).

One of the other students commented that Boeing had a philosophy about the colours on the overhead panel that actually made sense, but couldn't recall what that was. So - (sure that the answer will make me a much better pilot, and fill all of the gaps in the Boeing type manual ;)) Why did Boeing use the different shades of grey??

[chicken6]

This is the only thing I remember from my only jumpseat ride in a B737!

The light grey are absolutely flight critical, mid grey is nice to know. Or something like that, check out which colour the important bits are on (I can't remember, I spent the whole time trying to find the DME!!)

How's it going? What were you flying before?

[argyle]

The light grey panels are the systems affected when the fire handle is pulled.

This allows you to scan easier.

Hope this answers your question.

[Checkboard]

Yep ! That's the answer I was after.

Have to have a look when I am in the sim on Saturday. Thanks argyle.

chicken6, I am transitioning from the BAe 146 (thank god :))

[CaptainSquelch]

Gee, been on the 73's for years. Never known this, and never wondered. Thanks guys do you have any more?

[Sink Rate]

Yep - here's a poser for you...

On all the panels they have a tiny white cross somewhere on them. What does it mean...?

Regards,

Sink Rate - the king of useless trivia!

[Gspot]

I thought it was to do with the fact that they were all systems where you could isolate the Left and Right sides from each other. They are the Fuel, Hydraulics, Electrical, Flight Controls and Air System all of which can separated.It doesn't include the electrical selection/indicator panel, pressurisation

[Gspot]

One thing I forgot, a company called Canova Aviation publish something which I think is fabulous, it is called The Cockpit Review and is availabler in a Jepp sized book or on CD Rom or there are Flash Cards too. I think it is a super review tool. Their website is canovair.com

[Cough]

Sinkrate-

Not technically correct but when the panel background lighting goes on the blink I find pressing the + works!

Confused - I am!

[Gspot]

Definitive answer

All of the light grey panels are as I previously said systems that can joined together or separated there are five of them, they are

Thrust Reversers
Fuel
Electrical
Hydraulics
Air Systems

(not Flight Controls as I previously said)

Argyle is also correct that each of those systems is also affected by pulling an engine Fire Handle.

Hope that helps :)

[CaptainSandL]

Sink rate & Cough,

The crosses are where the earthing point is behind the individual panel. If it is acting up in any way pressing there may help.

S & L

[Speedbrake UP]

The 767 has also got those '+' on everything. Is this also the earthing point?

[CaptainSandL]

Gspot

Are you sure about the “can joined together or separated” theory? It seems to fall down with hydraulics. My money is on the fire handle.

S & L

[Brenoch]

Speedbrake UP: Yep, if you lose the lights on a panel or if it´s just generally pissing about, putting your finger on the "+" normally sorts the problem.. :) (very very hightech)

[Agaricus bisporus]

Light grey panels are those affected by pulling the fire handle.

Crosses are where the backlight illumination bulbs are.

(I think)

[Speedbrake UP]

Thanks Brenoch. Next time I am crossing south east asia in the wee hours of the morning next a captain who just wants to ask question after question I'll remember this it may come in handy! Thanks again :)