Aviation Maintenance Terms beginning with M

Mode Control Panel

The Mode Control Panel, (MCP) contains controls that allow aircrew to interface with the autopilot system. The MCP can be used to instruct the autopilot to perform tasks such as; hold a specific altitude, change altitudes at a specific rate, hold a specific heading, turn to a new heading, and or follow the directions of a flight management computer. The MCP is not the autopilot, it just controls the mode in which the autopilot operates.