ERJ/CRJ cockpit question

[Flying Illini]

I was being a dork and perusing <sp?> the airliners.net photo page of CRJ and ERJ cockpit photos.
On many of the CRJ cockpit shots it appeared that there is only one FMS and it was located on the captains side. Is this the norm for the fleet? Does that mean the captain does all the FMS button pushing? Why would you not have dual FMS's in an aircraft like that?
Most of the ERJ cockpits showed two FMS's but on several there seemed to be only one and it was located on the center pedestal a handfull of inches aft of the throttle quadrant. Again, am I seeing things correctly, only one FMS?

 

[Captain X]

Yes.

Many of the early 145s had only a single FMS. The reason for this is actually pretty funny...when Embraer was flight testing the aircraft a few pilots from CALEX were heavily involved in the process as customer representatives for CALEX.

One of these guys is a Former Marine A-4 driver who thought that the FMS would be a secondary mode of navigation to VHF nav. Therefore, they put it in a position where it was "out of the way." Early deliveries to all airlines had this setup.

Unfortunately, the location of the single FMS is a real pain in the ass and requires a lot of "heads down" time....and a few headbutts as both the CA and FO go for the same thing.

The dual-FMS ships are much more "pilot friendly" and allow more heads-up time.

 

[jetfueljunkey]

It is called tight a$$ management who only wants to pay for 1 FMS! Both crewmembers use the 1 and only FMS in the aircraft! It is all in the almighty $$$$ for management! They shortchange everyone and everything but themselves!

 

[ATRedneck]

One of these guys is a Former Marine A-4 driver who thought that the FMS would be a secondary mode of navigation to VHF nav. Therefore, they put it in a position where it was "out of the way." Early deliveries to all airlines had this setup.

Same friggin' reason there are no footrests on the early airplanes, and single-cue FDs on all of them. (All of XJT's, anyway.)

Crosshairs rule!

 

[Stuka Luva]

The single FMS (CDU) makes the cockpit a High-Threat area for UMT's.


Right Lunchbox?

 

[stb]

the answer is ...

$$$$$.

As a business stand point, why pay for two FMS keypads when one is required by the FAA. The F/O can reach over the throttles and push buttons.
The same can be said for VNAV and Auto-throttles.

 

[ILS8L]

yes, only one FMS

You saw it right, in most cases in the CRJ there is only one FMS. Why? $$$$ At our airline the policy is that the pilot flying the leg enters the info prior to the flight and then both crewmembers verify it. In flight the non-flying pilot makes inputs below 10K and at all times when the autopilot is not engaged. When the autopilot in on the flying pilot makes inputs above 10K. It really is no big deal and quite easy to reach where it is. Of course two would be easier but hey, it's all $$.

 

[mamba20]

I'm just glad we have it!

 

[Stuka Luva]

Yeah, it's real nice until it's MEL'd. D'Oh!!!

 

[amcnd]

Eagle has two FMS's in all aircraft!

 

[inthepool]

There are a lot of reasons to complain at eagle, but the airplanes can't be one of them. The dual FMS's are nice, as is the ACARS, and the buckets (just in case...) And all the airplanes have footrests The only problem is once the seat is reclined and pushed back you have to do sit-ups to get to the radios...

 

[CitationLover]

There are a lot of reasons to complain at eagle, but the airplanes can't be one of them. The dual FMS's are nice, as is the ACARS, and the buckets (just in case...) And all the airplanes have footrests The only problem is once the seat is reclined and pushed back you have to do sit-ups to get to the radios...

no ACARS in the "on time machine" CRJ at Eagle. well it's there it's just not there.

 

[wahoo250]

Why are the Dual FMS's at coex linked together? There should be a transfer button so if the wrong inputs are put in by the non flying pilot the flying pilot does not recieve them as well.

 

[Twotter76]

You guys have footrests in th erj?!! All I have is a little rubber strip above the rudder pedal so I dont rest my feet on the PFDs (which I probably would).

 

[acaTerry]

Ooooh, THATS what that thing is!

 

[skeezer]

It really is no big deal and quite easy to reach where it is.

You're kidding me right?

Unless you are Stretch Armstrong it is a pain to use the FMS as an FO. You can either go in front of or behind the throttles and either way you invariably get in the way if the PF wants to change the thrust lever position.

I understand the economics, but I still think its sucks.

Skeezer

 

[Standby 1]

The only problem is once the seat is reclined and pushed back you have to do sit-ups to get to the radios...

And this is the only time where the single FMS in some of the ERJs is handy....with the seats pushed back and reclined, simply punch in the freq in the FMS, handily situated at aft of the center console. No sit-ups to get to the radios. (okay, so that is the ONLY benefit of the single fms - I still prefer our dual fms a/c).






.

 

[Flying Illini]

You're kidding me right?

Unless you are Stretch Armstrong it is a pain to use the FMS as an FO. You can either go in front of or behind the throttles and either way you invariably get in the way if the PF wants to change the thrust lever position.

I understand the economics, but I still think its sucks.

Skeezer

I was wondering about the comment that it isn't difficult to use the FMS as an FO as well.
In our Falcon 20, if the copilots side FMS is MEL'd (which has only happened one time for one trip) it is a huge pain to reach across the throttles to use the one on the other side, especially when the cap is the PF and wants to move the thrust levers.

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Why are the Dual FMS's at coex linked together? There should be a transfer button so if the wrong inputs are put in by the non flying pilot the flying pilot does not recieve them as well.

There are three modes: single, dual, and initiated xfer. Boeings are done about the same way.

And, if you input the wrong info all you have to do is hit <delete> <previous>.

 

[FlyChicaga]

Isn't that <direct> <previous>?

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Wait until some bean counter with a PHD thinks he can save even more money by ordering the planes without an FMS altogether.

 

[Sc00ter]

And this is the only time where the single FMS in someof the ERJs is handy....with the seats pushed back and reclined, simplypunch in the freq in the FMS, handily situated at aft of the centerconsole. No sit-ups to get to the radios. (okay, so that is the ONLYbenefit of the single fms - I still prefer our dual fms a/c).

Don't forget your 18" dowel to push the mic button after tuning the radio on the TBCH.

I forgot mine the other day and I swear I saw an ab that night at the hotel!

scoot

 

[Standby 1]

Don't forget your 18" dowel to push the mic button after tuning the radio on the TBCH.

I forgot mine the other day and I swear I saw an ab that night at the hotel!

scoot

Oh, that part. I'm no longer allowed to actually talk on the radio - one too many smart-azzed remarks (people are soooo touchy these days) -, so no abs for me.





.

 

[ATRedneck]

Don't forget your 18" dowel to push the mic button after tuning the radio on the TBCH.

I forgot mine the other day and I swear I saw an ab that night at the hotel!

You're working too hard, dude. I hang the hand mic on the window emergency release handle so I don't have to reach far for it. Plus having it hanging in the air like that with the cord swaying back and forth kinda makes it have that 18-wheeler feel to it.

Now if only I could have the 18-wheeler paycheck. That and the horn.

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Isn't that <direct> <previous>?

I'd rather have a good FO than dual FMSs any day. They keep us captains from doing stupid stuff like that .

Frats,

 

[FlyChicaga]

So I'm not the only one who uses the hand-mic in flight? Cool!

I'm so lazy.

 

[FlyChicaga]

I'd rather have a good FO than dual FMSs any day. They keep us captains from doing stupid stuff like that .

Frats,

funny