Flight Management Navigation -
FMS Data Entry Rules
Altitude Entry
Altitudes can be entered into the FMC as three digit (XXX), four digit (XXXX), five digit (XXXXX), or flight level (FLXXX) numbers. The FMC displays altitude or flight level entries in the proper form based on the transition altitude. Some data lines further restrict the valid entry forms.
Three digit entries represent altitude or flight levels in increments of 100 feet. Leading zeros are required.
Examples of three digit (XXX, FLXXX) entries with transition altitude = 10,000 feet:
- 800 feet is entered as 008 or FL008; displays as 800
- 1,500 feet is entered as 015 or FL015; displays as 1500
- 11,500 feet is entered as 115 or FL115; displays as FL115
- 25,000 feet is entered as 250 or FL250; displays as FL250
Four digit entries represent feet, rounded to the nearest ten feet. Leading zeros are required. This form is used when the altitude does not exceed 9,994 feet.
Examples of four digit (XXXX) entries with transition altitude = 18,000 feet:
- 50 feet is entered as 0050; displays as 50
- 835 feet is entered as 0835; displays as 840
- 1,500 feet is entered as 1500; displays as 1500
- 8,500 feet is entered as 8500; displays as 8500
- 9,994 feet is entered as 9994; displays as 9990
Five digit entries represent feet, rounded to the nearest ten feet. This form is used when the altitude exceeds 9,994 feet
Examples of five (XXXXX) digit entries with transition altitude 4,000 feet:
- 50 feet is entered as 00050; displays as 50
- 835 feet is entered as 00835; displays as 840
- 1,500 feet is entered as 01500; displays as 1500
- 8,500 feet is entered as 08500; displays as FL085
- 9,995 feet is entered as 09995; displays as FL100
- 11,500 feet is entered as 11500; displays as FL115
- 25,000 feet is entered as 25000; displays as FL250
Negative altitude entries are allowed to -1000 feet.
Airspeed Entry
Airspeeds can be entered into the FMC as calibrated airspeed (CAS) or Mach number (M). CAS is entered as three digits (XXX) in knots. Mach numbers are entered as one, two, or three digits following a decimal point.
Data Pairs
Many CDU pages display data in pairs separated by a slash "/" Examples of these pairs include wind direction/speed and waypoint airspeed/altitude constraints. When entering both values in a pair, the slash is inserted between the values. When it is possible to enter only one value of the pair, the slash may not be required. When entering only the outboard value of a pair, the trailing or leading slash may be entered, but is not required before transferring to the data line. When entering the inboard value of a pair, the trailing or leading slash must be entered before transferring to the data line. Omission of the required slash normally results in an INVALID ENTRY message.
