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02-Apr-2008 19:24Z
For a while, it has been possible to externalize PS1's CDU onto the
independent MCDU. Several of these MCDUs can be active
at the same time, and if you have more than one application (FMS, ACARS,
Tug...), they can all be accessed on their own MCDU if you wish. However, if
you want to access the same application (usually FMS) on more than one MCDU,
these MCDUs will sync up. You cannot, for example, watch the PROG page on
one MCDU and LEGS on another at the same time.
The Dual PS1 CDU project tries to remedy this situation, by offering a
simplified display-only FMS mode which is independent from the actual PS1
CDU page on display.
The purpose is not to provide as much of a full FMS CDU as
possible. The purpose is to provide as little as possible to be useful
for the pilot flying. For the moment, I think of just PROG and LEGS,
possibly extended with VNAV, and all for display only.