What is the role of ECAM vs EICAS in cockpit fault reporting?

• A. ECAM/EICAS displays provide weather radar data.
• B. ECAM (Airbus) and EICAS (Boeing) present system faults, procedures, and status.
• C. They control autopilot.
• D. They display passenger manifest.

Answer: (B)

ECAM and EICAS are the cockpit fault reporting systems that centralize faults, current system status, and the recommended procedures to handle them. They present a structured view of what has failed across aircraft systems (electrical, hydraulic, fuel, environmental, avionics, etc.), show current limits, and provide step-by-step actions for troubleshooting and resolving the issue. These displays are designed to guide pilots through non-normal situations by presenting the appropriate checklists on-screen, often with clear color coding and a logical sequence to keep workload manageable and safety priority. They do not provide weather radar data, which is shown on dedicated weather displays like the navigation display. They also do not control the autopilot; autopilot control is handled by the flight control system, though the messages may indicate autopilot status or faults. They don’t display passenger manifests either. In essence, ECAM/EICAS are the fault-reporting and procedural guidance tools that support crew awareness and decision-making during abnormal conditions.