Narrative:

I was advised by my chief pilot that I was one of the several flight crew members that had flown a specific B737-500 that had B737-700 data entered into its FMC system. I noticed that a few of the pages of data displayed were different. However, we use several different versions of the programs and are not officially notified if a new database is in use. It also usually takes weeks before the entire fleet can be updated. The major differences in the program has to do with engine performance, because different series engines are installed on the -500 versus the -700 series aircraft. We also use an aircraft specific laptop performance computer. Because the actual aircraft performance numbers come from the laptop, and the CDU is not required per MEL, no safety of flight item was violated.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: RPTS OF INCORRECT FMC PERFORMANCE SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ON B737 ACFT.

Narrative: I WAS ADVISED BY MY CHIEF PLT THAT I WAS ONE OF THE SEVERAL FLC MEMBERS THAT HAD FLOWN A SPECIFIC B737-500 THAT HAD B737-700 DATA ENTERED INTO ITS FMC SYS. I NOTICED THAT A FEW OF THE PAGES OF DATA DISPLAYED WERE DIFFERENT. HOWEVER, WE USE SEVERAL DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE PROGRAMS AND ARE NOT OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED IF A NEW DATABASE IS IN USE. IT ALSO USUALLY TAKES WKS BEFORE THE ENTIRE FLEET CAN BE UPDATED. THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN THE PROGRAM HAS TO DO WITH ENG PERFORMANCE, BECAUSE DIFFERENT SERIES ENGS ARE INSTALLED ON THE -500 VERSUS THE -700 SERIES ACFT. WE ALSO USE AN ACFT SPECIFIC LAPTOP PERFORMANCE COMPUTER. BECAUSE THE ACTUAL ACFT PERFORMANCE NUMBERS COME FROM THE LAPTOP, AND THE CDU IS NOT REQUIRED PER MEL, NO SAFETY OF FLT ITEM WAS VIOLATED.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.