787 panel above autopilot
 

Does anyone what the panel just above the autopilot control and below the windscreen is in this picture? It's the panel with the red-ish display in the centre.

Photos: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

It doesn't seem as well integrated as the rest of the panels, so I'm thinking perhaps something temporary for flight testing.

Test equipment for the HUD maybe? I see Boeing have placed another tiny unreadable EFIS standby instrument. I know the chance of ever using one is more than remote, but I would hate to do an approach on that five cent size gizmo. The new 744f has the same where the 744 pax aircraft have the three individual standard gauges, much better in my opinion. (not as cool or trendy though).

I may be wrong...
 

...but I remember a similar looking box on the initial test 777s, and also the A380 when they were at a similar stage in their development. I believe it's some sort of flight test equipment, and won't be there on production models.
:8

Have they run out of brown paint in Seattle? Back to 737 grey, how boring.

Aye 'cos brown is much more exciting!

I fly significantly older a/c than the 787 so don't know if it's been incorporated recently or a long time ago, but that faux leather pen holder in the left hand corner is a brilliant idea.

The 777s I fly (built mid-90s onwards) all have the pen-holder ..... and they look and feel like real leather to me! Damn useful ..... but one has to remember not to leave one's pen behind in the cockpit! Have 'lost' dozens of 'em.:ok:

Would those be the ones you took from your hotel rooms ;)

Do you think the pilots forget what aircraft they are in as well, so just to remind themselves they stuck it in big letters right in front of their eyes.

Yes it is a flight test program module.

The same module was mounted in the initial 737 AEW&C airplanes during their flight test/certification programs of recent times.

EW73

Thanks, EW73.

Yes, I wondered about the label as well. Seems a pretty hard thing to forget!

Smarten up guys. It's the radio call-sign.

PS, And don't all claim you knew that - and were joking.

I believe that unit is used to cause certain FBW signals to be introduced to the flight control system. Doing electronically what would take weeks to create otherwise.

Yes it's the radio call sign. There are six airplanes in the program so it's just another way to keep track of the airplane your in.

It's the GPS position and control box for the Chemtrail™ dispersing rig. Due to the sensitive nature of the Chemtrail operation, only selected pilots are selected to participate - so the kit has to be removed before standard line pilots fly the aircraft (hence the temporary look of the device.)

Same gizmo on a 777 Photos: Boeing 777-240/LR Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net plus a sticker to tell them it's a Boeing 002 :eek:

Well, it's a seriously beautiful flight deck with touch-button radio controls. Can't wait for Airbus to see the light! Why on earth they are still using rotary tuning knobs from the 1930's is beyond me.

In a development lab push buttons make sense.
In an aircraft rotary knobs make sense.
Conclusion:- development labs should be subject to turbulence.

Never had any trouble punching through the digits in the FMC as an aid memoire, even in turbulence. Just hold on with the other hand. :E:E

I suppose one will get use to the push button switches but my first encounters has been less than great.

I've never flown airliners, but in light aircraft in moderate chop I'd prefer twist knobs to buttons.