This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
EICAS
Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System
The Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) is Boeing’s integrated cockpit display system that consolidates engine performance data and aircraft systems monitoring onto dedicated screens, replacing the traditional rows of individual analog gauges found in older aircraft. EICAS presents primary engine parameters - N1 fan speed, N2 compressor speed, exhaust gas temperature (EGT), fuel flow, oil pressure and temperature, and engine vibration - on an upper EICAS display, while secondary systems data (hydraulics, electrics, pneumatics, fuel quantity, and flight control positions) appears on a lower EICAS display. The system continuously monitors hundreds of parameters and generates color-coded alerts when values exceed normal operating limits.
EICAS uses a tiered alerting philosophy: Warning alerts (red) indicate immediate and critical conditions requiring urgent crew action; Caution alerts (amber) signal abnormal conditions requiring crew awareness and timely response; Advisory messages (white or cyan) provide status information. When an alert triggers, the EICAS displays the associated message and may simultaneously activate an aural warning tone. The crew then refers to the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) or Electronic Checklist to execute the appropriate non-normal procedure. Airbus aircraft use an equivalent system called ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor), which follows similar principles but uses a different display format and alert logic.