An avionics control and display unit (CDU) in an integrated avionics system includes a display unit having a touch screen configured to detect touch input. The CDU is configured to have a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. When the first mode of operation is selected, the display unit is configured to display control indicia to facilitate the control of one or more functions associated with the avionics system. When the second mode of operation is selected, the display unit is configured to enable a cursor control area to facilitate manipulation of indicia displayed by a display device such as a primary flight display (PFD) or a multifunction display (MFD), and so forth, via touch input to the touch screen over the cursor control area.