Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 160; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 1200
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
Upon climb out of ZZZ to ZZZ1 both myself and the First Officer noted to each other an odor/smell that seemed pungent and potent. Neither of us could place it or even thought it was associated with a fire or smoke. Both of us assumed it was just a smelly aircraft that had been sitting outside. Later in the flight during cruise enroute to ZZZ1; I noticed a white stream of smoke coming from the dashboard. Specifically; it was erupting from behind the flight guidance control (FGC) where the mode selectors for the autopilot's climb and descend modes are located. Upon seeing the smoke; my First Officer and I realized the odd odor/smell was associated and determined that there must be some sort of electrical fire/issue/malfunction going on. I instructed my First Officer to put his oxygen mask (I did as well) and we performed our immediate action items associated with smoke in the cockpit/flight-deck. We declared [requested priority handling] with ATC. ATC gave us direct to the field and pilot's speed and descent discretion to 11;000 ft. We gave them the information for souls on board and fuel remaining. At this point; we were roughly 60 NM from ZZZ1. I directed my First Officer to notify our dispatcher/company via ACARS that we had [notified ATC] due to smoke in the cockpit and that we were landing at ZZZ1. After that; I directed my First Officer to run the associated checklists and run the appropriate data for landing. We continued to communicate with ATC and they aided us in giving us priority for a visual approach to Runway XXL at ZZZ1. The aircraft was being operated on the autopilot; however; during descent; the mode selectors on the flight guidance control panel stopped working/engaging and would not respond to any selection that I was commanding. Due to this; I switched off the autopilot and hand flew the aircraft for the rest of the flight. We landed with no issues Runway XXL and ATC asked us our intentions. The First Officer and I agreed that we did not need to evacuate as the smoke was slightly subsiding and we had no passengers on board. We still had our oxygen masks on and it seemed logical that we could taxi to the gate as long as the rescue and fire trucks follow us there as a precaution.  There was some confusion on which gate we would be parking at. Our ACARS data for arrival showed us parking at XX which is also the normal gate that we always park at in ZZZ1. However; after we arrived at XX; operations seemed to not want the aircraft there and requested that we park at XY instead. We left gate XX and taxied over to XY as demanded and powered down the aircraft and opened the door. Firefighters came on board and immediately noted the electrical fire smell and asked if we were okay. I as Captain made all the appropriate phone calls and documented the issue in the maintenance log of the aircraft. Contract maintenance personnel showed up to work on the aircraft. They were able to inform me that they removed the main panel in the cockpit and it showed signs of a fire and electrical burn up behind the flight guidance controller and that this is what caused the electrical burn and smoke in the cockpit. First; there was an odd smell in the cockpit noticed by both flight crew members. But the biggest form of detection was the visible plums of white smoke rising from behind the flight guidance control panel. The smoke was faint at first but became heavier and more visible as time went on.
ERJ-145 Captain reported smoke in the cockpit during climb out.