EICAS and ECAM: Engine Parameters, Alerts, and Electronic Checklists

022-13-04Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-03-272 min

Modern aircraft use electronic systems to monitor engine parameters, aircraft systems, and provide crew alerts. The two main systems are EICAS (Boeing) and ECAM (Airbus).

System Overview

Feature EICAS (Boeing) ECAM (Airbus)
Primary Display Upper Display E/WD (Engine/Warning Display)
Content N1/EPR, EGT, Warnings, Cautions N1/EPR, EGT, Fuel, Flaps, Warnings, Memos
Secondary Display Lower Display SD (System/Display)
Content Hydraulics, Pressurization, Eng 2ndary, Status System Synoptics (Schematics), Status

EICAS Display Modes

  1. Operational: Real-time system parameters selected by the crew.
  2. Status: Used for dispatch (MEL). Shows flight control positions, hydraulic qty, oxygen, etc.
  3. Maintenance: Ground use only for troubleshooting.

Electronic Checklists (ECL) & Procedures

These systems automatically display the appropriate checklist when a failure is detected by sensors.

Limitations & Pilot Judgement

The computer triggers checklists based on sensor thresholds, but it lacks "context" or awareness of physical damage.

  • Fuel Leak: If a leak causes an imbalance, the system may trigger a "Fuel Imbalance" checklist prompting to Open Crossfeed.
    • Danger: Doing so would pump the good fuel overboard through the leak.
    • Action: Pilots must diagnose the leak (Fuel Used vs Fuel On Board) before following the ECL.
  • Engine Damage: If an engine fails due to severe damage (e.g., vibration, loud bang).
    • Danger: The ECL for a simple flameout might suggest a "Relight".
    • Action: Do not attempt to relight a damaged engine.

CRM and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

To prevent irreversible errors (like shutting down the wrong engine):

  1. Confirm the Failure: Both pilots must agree on the diagnosis.
  2. Read & Do: Follow the checklist slowly and methodically.
  3. Guarded Switches / Thrust Levers: The Pilot Monitoring (PM) must never move a thrust lever, engine master, or guarded switch without explicit confirmation from the Pilot Flying (PF).