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MCDU Keyboard Input

Overview

The A32NX is now capable of accepting native keyboard inputs when utilizing the MCDU. Your inputs will be seen in the scratchpad area.

What this feature allows:

  • Able to input text and numbers into the MCDU with keyboard
  • Cockpit buttons are pressed with keyboard input
  • Visual indicator that input is being accepted by MCDU
  • Options for MCDU keyboard entry
  • A timer can be set to automatically lose focus from the MCDU after a set period
  • Normal Sim Keyboard Events (i.e. Camera) will be disabled while MCDU is in focus.

Usage Guide

Important

Focusing the MCDU for keyboard input will stop all sim keybinds from working. Most notably, you will not be able to move the camera. Unfocusing should return control (i.e. camera).

Enable MCDU keyboard

To begin using your keyboard with the MCDU you must first enable the function within MCDU Options. Follow the guide below:

  • Select MCDU Options
  • Select Options
  • Select Realism
  • Select Keyboard Input
  • Select ALLOW INPUT

You will have to reload the flight for this change to take effect. (Similar to switching units from kg/lbs)

Once you have completed the above steps simply click on the MCDU screen to put it into focus. The MCDU will display a visual indicator when input is ready to be accepted. The scratchpad should be highlighted, and the title will be highlighted in cyan as well.

Visual indicator sample:

visual sample

Accepted Keys

You may now use any combination of the following on your keyboard to use for entry:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Dots
  • Slashes
  • Backspace - should perform the same usage as CLR on the MCDU
  • Shift+Backspace - should function as CLR HELD keybind on the MCDU (clears the scratchpad)

To use the Line Select Keys - (LSK) with your keyboard use the following keys:

  • LSK1L - LSK6L uses F1 through F6
  • LSK1R - LSK6R uses F7 through F12

To unfocus the MCDU use any of actions below:

  • Click on the MCDU Screen
  • Press Ctrl+Z
  • Press Alt

How to set a timeout

The timeout feature will "automatically unfocus" the MCDU screen should you be unable to use any of the actions above to manually unfocus.

Return to the realism settings in MCDU Options. You should see INPUT TIMEOUT. You can specify how long the the timeout feature will wait before unfocusing the MCDU.

  • Valid range is 5 - 120 seconds

Sample Image:

timeout screen

Known Issues

  • Esc and arrow keys are not captured
  • CLR held (>2s)
    • Use Shift+Backspace together instead of Backspace
  • Clicking on screen + using camera keybind keys will cause MCDU to move out of the view. Since the camera is locked it is not possible to click on the screen to unfocus the MCDU
    • Use keyboard shortcuts below to unfocus:
      • Ctrl+Z
      • Alt
  • Keybindings are currently optimized for ANSI/ISO-UK keyboard layouts. ISO-DE/ISO-NORD users will notice that slash keys on their keyboards may not function as expected. This is an unfortunate limitation of the Coherent Webkit based JS Engine.
    • The following keys can be used as substitutes instead:
      • >
      • # (or ')
    • Note: that the numpad will work as expected regardless of keyboard layout.
Last update: April 20, 2021