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pmdg flight management system

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EHM-1281 Cyriel:
I heard a lot of talk about pmdg aircraft lately, took a look at the site and am thinking of buying one. As I always want to try first I downloaded one ( Don't worry if I like it I will pay for it).

However I have been fighting with this fms one whole evening now. How do I get this thing to fly my flightlan? De route itself (lnav) is not the real problem. However I can not get it to climb. It will most of the time complain UNABLE TO CRZ ALT. Even when I set it to 6000ft only. Sometimes the VNAV wil stay on for about 1 min but that is the max. Anyone knows how this works and want to share it with me? I also downloaded a manual but that is not much help.

EHM-1343 Jonathan:
If you are talking about the autopilot, set your altitude as normal, enable the autopilot and then st a verical speed, click V/S and then it takes you to the altitude you want, I am just about getting to grips with the FMC so just bear with me if you question is about that, i really don't quite understand your question so i gave the best answer I could
;)

EHM-0654 Murray:

--- Quote ---Originally posted by cyriel
However I have been fighting with this fms one whole evening now. How do I get this thing to fly my flightlan? De route itself (lnav) is not the real problem. However I can not get it to climb. It will most of the time complain UNABLE TO CRZ ALT. Even when I set it to 6000ft only. Sometimes the VNAV wil stay on for about 1 min but that is the max. Anyone knows how this works and want to share it with me? I also downloaded a manual but that is not much help.
--- End quote ---


Ah, the fight between the MCP and FMC, yes, bit of an artform. Can't do this properly from memory, so expect more once I get home, but I recommend Fred Clausen's 737NG flight tutorial to all 737NG pilots who want to know the basics of FMC work.

First off, *fully* program the FMC; including setting the take-off parameters, setting the ZFW, reserves (5.2 should suffice according to a proper 737 pilot...), cost index (100 usually, but doesn't actually matter, the FMC doesn't listen to this value), calculating the V-Refs (and on and on...).

Prior to take-off, set the initial altitiude (or your cruise altitude if you've received no initial), the runway heading and the low alt max speed (250kts) on the MCP (autopilot). Take-off (or TOGA) then engage LNAV and VNAV, then turn on the A/P. Voila, you should now be fully under FMC control (hopefully...)

Remember to set your final cruise altitude on the MCP *before* you cross the waypoint where you are cleared to cruise, especially if you have the FMC following a SID. The other thing is to read the FMC when you get an FMC message. It'll usually tell you precisely what's wrong.

Read Fred Clausen's 737NG flight tutorial and the FMC chapter of the PMDG user manual for more information on programming the FMC and having it fly the plane.

EDIT: Also, great checklist (Excel spreadsheet format) for FS2Crew Pro, but that means it's usable without FS2Crew - FS2Crew-PMDG 738/739 Flight Notes/ Customizable Checklist

EHM-1539 Pierre:
All is said. Unable cruise alt : something is wrong on your fuel page, and in your route you have trip crz altitude, that is the max possible level due to fuel config, route, etc...

I recommend fs2crew pro, it's really good but requests you to be familiar with the 737. And it needs practice as well, but once you understand it's really quick to learn and after a few flights it rocks.

EHM-0654 Murray:

--- Quote ---Originally posted by maabaa
All is said. Unable cruise alt : something is wrong on your fuel page, and in your route you have trip crz altitude, that is the max possible level due to fuel config, route, etc...
--- End quote ---


As maabaa says, I suspect you didn't set your FMC cruise altitude.


--- Quote ---Originally posted by maabaa
I recommend fs2crew pro, it's really good but requests you to be familiar with the 737. And it needs practice as well, but once you understand it's really quick to learn and after a few flights it rocks.
--- End quote ---

Just waiting for the funds to clear to my credit card :)

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