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B737NG_Pilot
2nd Jul 2017, 11:11
What is the significance of the 3 BARS which illuminate, when a transmitter is selected for transmission on the ACP. It's vertical on the 737 and horizontal on the A320.

http://www.b737.org.uk/images/aspbuttons.jpg

http://www.jaasimulators.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/10896961_418298005013372_3735428126380006142_n.jpg

applecrumble
2nd Jul 2017, 11:33
I would imagine this is purely design.
And Boeing and Airbus would always be opposite. On the Airbus overhead panel up is on and down is off. Boeing is round the other way!

B737NG_Pilot
2nd Jul 2017, 11:48
Thanks applecrumble... wanted to know why the 3 bars.

wiggy
2nd Jul 2017, 13:06
I'd hazard a guess that there's no significance to it being 3 bars, regardless of orientation. You simply need to be able to look down at the panel and see something which indicates which button is selected..TBH it could just as easily be dots or stars, whatever......

FWIW on some Boeings you simply get a backlit illuminated "MIC" where appropriate.

PENKO
2nd Jul 2017, 16:26
After more than 7000 hours on the Airbus and 3000 on the Boeing I honestly never noticed..it's just a light.

flyingchanges
2nd Jul 2017, 18:36
Bar 1, aviate. Bar 2, navigate. Bar 3, communicate.

MarkerInbound
2nd Jul 2017, 18:38
On the Airbus overhead panel up is on and down is off. Boeing is round the other way!

On Boeings, on is toward the windshield and off away from. Unless the airplane was built for TWA.

pattern_is_full
2nd Jul 2017, 20:43
RE 3 Bars - I expect that is "functional design" - make the MIC/TRANSMIT selection buttons quickly distinguishable from all the other pedestal lights/buttons at night.

Alternatively - could be simply 3 LEDS for redundancy, in case one burns out. But the fact that the pattern (3 bars, regardless of orientation) is common across B and A makes the first idea more likely. Embraer uses one bar - but still a bar (EMB reception controls have round indicator lights).

Check Airman
3rd Jul 2017, 02:39
On Boeings, on is toward the windshield and off away from. Unless the airplane was built for TWA.

Switch direction is also an option on Airbus aircraft.

Capn Bloggs
3rd Jul 2017, 05:00
And Boeing and Airbus would always be opposite. On the Airbus overhead panel up is on and down is off. Boeing is round the other way!
Boeing: ON>Forward>Go! :D :ok:

PS The threebars in my Boeing are horizontal! :eek:

oceancrosser
3rd Jul 2017, 11:15
On Boeings, on is toward the windshield and off away from. Unless the airplane was built for TWA.

Or Lufthansa or any number of carriers that made operating a diverse fleet of 737-200s a nightmare.

ACMS
3rd Jul 2017, 11:16
I've got four......:}

Coat, Hat, door......:8

B737NG_Pilot
4th Jul 2017, 04:43
pattern_is_full thanks for your reply. From what I figure... the 3 bars symbolises the word MIC.

applecrumble
4th Jul 2017, 05:13
How did you find that out?

Check Airman
4th Jul 2017, 06:25
pattern_is_full thanks for your reply. From what I figure... the 3 bars symbolises the word MIC.

What about the "ROPHONE"?

Rick777
5th Jul 2017, 02:33
I used to fly freight in old 707s from a variety of sources with no two alike. We had switches going both ways.