737 Automatic Flight

The glareshield panel, commonly referred to as the MCP, contains not only the Mode Control Panel, but also the master caution lights & annunciations, fire warning lights and, on the NG's, the EFIS control panels. Whilst the MCP has evolved with the autopilot, the master caution and fire warning lights have remained unchanged through to the present day which is testimony to its good initial design.

737-200Adv

737 Glareshield ADV
737 ADV Glareshield
Toward the end of its production run, the Adv was fitted with an SP177 autopilot with integrated PDCS/FMC and automatics and in 1982 became Cat IIIa autoland capable. The Adv mode control panel has remained virtually unchanged through to the NG's.

The differences between this -200Adv MCP and the -300+ MCP are:

EPR button became N1
VNAV/PDC became VNAV
No ALT or SPD INTV buttons fitted.
Number tapes in windows instead of LCD's
737-300/400/500

737 CL Glareshiel
737 CL Glareshield
The classics were fitted with Sperry SP-300 autopilot-flight director system (AFDS). This early -300 panel has paddles to engage & disengage autopilots and CWS. The two small grey panels either side of the MCP are to select the source of navigation information. The options are FMC (normal mode), ANS-L or ANS-R if the alternate navigation system (IRS based) is required.
On pre-1991 MCP's, turning the altitude knob changed MCP altitude in 1000ft increments, when pressed in it changed to 100ft increments.

Differences between various MCP's are:

The A/P CMD/CWS/Disengage paddles changing to select buttons, or a mixture of both (see below).
ALT & SPD INTV buttons for FMC hard speed and alt restraints, (covered by blanking plates with some operators).

737 CL Glareshield 2
This -500 has no ANS so those side panels are missing. They are replaced in this aircraft by stopwatch buttons, much more useful! The two blanking plates in the MCP are for the SPD INTV & ALT INTV options.

737-NG

737 NG Glareshield
The basic Honeywell (formerly Sperry) MCP is virtually unchanged from the 200ADVs but the EFIS control panels have been moved into the glareshield from the aft electronics panel in a similar arrangement to the 747-400.

737 NG Glareshield 2
The latest Honeywell FCC software, P/N 2216-HNP-03B-10 OPS (known as “-710” software) - Aug 2007

Its features include:

Added the capability to arm VNAV prior to selection of Takeoff when compatible CDS and FMC part numbers are also installed. When armed, pitch takeoff will transition to VNAV engage at 400 feet. Note, due to inconsistencies associated with the arming of VNAV prior to takeoff, Boeing released the reference a) ops manual bulletin instructing flight crews to not attempt arming VNAV on the ground prior to takeoff.
Added the capability to arm LNAV prior to selection of Takeoff when compatible CDS and FMC part numbers are installed. When armed, the takeoff roll mode will transition to LNAV engage at 50 feet.
Revised design of “flight director only” LNAV ARM to LNAV ENG in roll go around to allow auto engagement of LNAV from Track Hold down to 50 feet whether the flight director switches are on or off. Note: This function is available as an option. This option is activated by incorporation of a negotiated Boeing Service Bulletin that will specify the correct FCC software, FMC software, CDS OPS and OPC software.
Added logic to reduce false altitude acquires due to erroneous but un-flagged altitude inputs.