brown or grey cockpits?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Netherlands
brown or grey cockpits?
Dear all-knowing ppruners,
Who can explain why the 747-400 and 777 cockpits are brown, while the 737’s and 787’s are dark grey?
I personally like grey better, but who knows the deeper reason for this color choice?
keep safe, regards.
Who can explain why the 747-400 and 777 cockpits are brown, while the 737’s and 787’s are dark grey?
I personally like grey better, but who knows the deeper reason for this color choice?
keep safe, regards.
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Planet Earth
Seriously I remember reading an article on this, Boeing’s research indicated that brown would make for a more restful ‘calmer’ ergonomic environment
Dunno, it certainly didn’t interfere with napping
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From: Denver
Ennnhhh - I see a lot of 737s with brown cockpits. Seems to depend on age/era.
As a guess, the introduction of larger and more colorful displays has made a dark gray as "background" preferable (according to some trickcyclist or other). There are lots of people making their living analyzing environmental color and human performance. I think it was a big deal starting with the first nuclear subs - pinks and yellows and such to enliven long times at sea.
NASA's take (skip to page 110 (pdf. pg 113) for the Conclusions - the rest is a review of previous studies) - hue doesn't matter much, but general contrasts of color/tone do have not-fully-definable effects. Related to long-term exposure for space flight.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/c...9890006161.pdf
Personally, I find Airbus pale blue-gray nice, as well as lighter brown/beige. Night-lighting may interact with colors, though.
As a guess, the introduction of larger and more colorful displays has made a dark gray as "background" preferable (according to some trickcyclist or other). There are lots of people making their living analyzing environmental color and human performance. I think it was a big deal starting with the first nuclear subs - pinks and yellows and such to enliven long times at sea.
NASA's take (skip to page 110 (pdf. pg 113) for the Conclusions - the rest is a review of previous studies) - hue doesn't matter much, but general contrasts of color/tone do have not-fully-definable effects. Related to long-term exposure for space flight.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/c...9890006161.pdf
Personally, I find Airbus pale blue-gray nice, as well as lighter brown/beige. Night-lighting may interact with colors, though.
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: UK
‘Boeing Brown’, was perhaps a contribution to attempts to differ from Airbus, particularly with the success of their Porsche designed flight deck. Thus ARINC avionics manufacturers were encouraged to provide the alternative colour.
Similar options were provided for GA aircraft.
BAe were approached by prospective customers to provide a brown flight deck for the DH125. ‘Good grief’, no way - ‘Elephants Breath’ Brown !
These views were supported by comparative investigations on the effect of flight deck background colour; mainly in support of Airbus work. However, some US completion centres did provide a brown flight deck for the 125.
One deviation from the conventional brown was that for a notable wax company - brown boot polish, where the flight deck and cabin were furnished in brown (suede) leather.
Similar options were provided for GA aircraft.
BAe were approached by prospective customers to provide a brown flight deck for the DH125. ‘Good grief’, no way - ‘Elephants Breath’ Brown !
These views were supported by comparative investigations on the effect of flight deck background colour; mainly in support of Airbus work. However, some US completion centres did provide a brown flight deck for the 125.
One deviation from the conventional brown was that for a notable wax company - brown boot polish, where the flight deck and cabin were furnished in brown (suede) leather.
Joined: Dec 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Various
At least 7 different shades of brown on the 747-400. I know RAL codes are available for the 737 greys but I had to get the 747-400 browns matched by taking panels to a DIY store to get them to match some pots of paint.
I prefer the brown, mostly because I loved flying the 74/75/76 and the grey reminds me how miserable life was in the 73.
I prefer the brown, mostly because I loved flying the 74/75/76 and the grey reminds me how miserable life was in the 73.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 751
Likes: 72
From: Netherlands
Thanks all,
I would expect that a boeing study for the “best” cockpit color would have a certain outcome. (whatever it is)
As a result, ALL planes built thereafter would have “that” color. But that is not the case. Boeing has been alternating their choice back and forth. So now I ended up flying 2 different colors on one type rating. (777/787)
I would expect that a boeing study for the “best” cockpit color would have a certain outcome. (whatever it is)
As a result, ALL planes built thereafter would have “that” color. But that is not the case. Boeing has been alternating their choice back and forth. So now I ended up flying 2 different colors on one type rating. (777/787)
Joined: Sep 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 956
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From: away from home
Ennnhhh - I see a lot of 737s with brown cockpits. Seems to depend on age/era.
As a guess, the introduction of larger and more colorful displays has made a dark gray as "background" preferable (according to some trickcyclist or other). There are lots of people making their living analyzing environmental color and human performance. I think it was a big deal starting with the first nuclear subs - pinks and yellows and such to enliven long times at sea.
NASA's take (skip to page 110 (pdf. pg 113) for the Conclusions - the rest is a review of previous studies) - hue doesn't matter much, but general contrasts of color/tone do have not-fully-definable effects. Related to long-term exposure for space flight.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/c...9890006161.pdf
Personally, I find Airbus pale blue-gray nice, as well as lighter brown/beige. Night-lighting may interact with colors, though.
As a guess, the introduction of larger and more colorful displays has made a dark gray as "background" preferable (according to some trickcyclist or other). There are lots of people making their living analyzing environmental color and human performance. I think it was a big deal starting with the first nuclear subs - pinks and yellows and such to enliven long times at sea.
NASA's take (skip to page 110 (pdf. pg 113) for the Conclusions - the rest is a review of previous studies) - hue doesn't matter much, but general contrasts of color/tone do have not-fully-definable effects. Related to long-term exposure for space flight.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/c...9890006161.pdf
Personally, I find Airbus pale blue-gray nice, as well as lighter brown/beige. Night-lighting may interact with colors, though.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 86
From: Planet Earth
Not sure what they were thinking with the puke green cockpits in our MD80’s when I flew that thing
It always looked bad or worse.
I agree on the brown, I liked it on the 75/67, don’t understand why Boeing went back to grey on the 787
It always looked bad or worse.
I agree on the brown, I liked it on the 75/67, don’t understand why Boeing went back to grey on the 787
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From: Denver
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From: Earth
My understanding is that brown was chosen after research done on "calming" colors, or colors that some studies had shown would be of slight benefit to mental states in managing emergencies. I do not remember the source but I read it in a college CRM text at some point.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,166
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From: Planet Earth
