B737 NG fmc question

[sk8z27]

I'm a novice to the fmc.  My question is that when I go to select sids, how do I know which one to use.  Also, which stars do I use.  This is all new to me and I'm trying to read the manual, but I'm still a little confused.  Any other information would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[jrpilot]

I had the same question when I was first figuring out the FMC..well here is the answer for you
go to http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/ and  put in your route ..also put on "transitions" which will get you into and out of the route to you SID/STAR...anyways the first point on the flight plan will be your transition..a little confusing...
for example this is a route from KCLE to KSFO: the LOCKE1 is the sTAR I should fly and my transition will be MVA

KCLE DCT DJB J60 MAYZE J82 JOT J146 IOW J10 DSM J144 OBH J84 MVA LOCKE1 KSFO


One more thing some SID/STAR's have constraints to get the goto http://myairplane.com/ and go to NOAA approach plates and there you can find the SId/STAR you need and get the constraints

[sk8z27]

Hey thanks, that's great, but now I'm having other problems.

[Nexus]

to solve the runway ATC will assign you to the one you choose in the FMC: Check the winds at the arrival airport, that will give you a hint which runway to use.

Descent is easiest way done in VNAV paTH mode. The autopilot will follow a computed vertical path down to your selected MCP altitude, where the aircraft will level off.
This means you obviously have to select a lower altitude than your cruise alt prior to T/D  and then sit back and watch the aircraft perform the descent for you.

In climbs I prefer VNAV, for various reasons.
A) it's the most used choice by real pilots
B) When cilmbing manually, you won't overshoot or "forget" any altitude contraints as the VNAV will revert from SPD to PTH mode when encountering an altitude constraint. LVL CHG climbs are pretty much the same as the VNAV climb (both are constant speed), but you won't have a protection against altitude constraints.
What is the correct way? It's a matter of taste really, as long you will get from point A to B...my friend only flies his take offs and climbs in CWS P and CWS R, simply because he's more comfortable with that, and who can say that is wrong?  :)

I only use CWS during heavy turbulence, so I cannot say I use it all the time.  ;D

[sk8z27]

I was also having a little difficulty trying to program routes in the fmc.  I used the fs9 flight planner and used the high alt. airways and then tried to plug in those same airways and fixes into the fmc and I keep getting "not in database."  I know I've just got to keep working at it, but any advice I'd appreciate it.  It seems as if I can only plug in routes using the FMC's database and not enter my own.  Oh, even though the FMC didn't tell me I needed to update, I went ahead and updated from navdata.at., I just kind of winged it on the installation because it didn't seem to be very clear to me, but it seemed as if everything went to where it needed to go.  Thanks for any help.

sk8z27

[Nexus]

The navdata used in FS9 are some years old, while the navdata the PMDG FMC (www.navdata.at) uses are up to date, that's why you may get the "not in database" message.

to solve this go to the link jrpilot posted above
http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/

That site uses the same navdata as the PMDG FMC so if it exists in on that homepage, it will also exist in the FMC

[sk8z27]

thanks for all the advice, but now i've got another question for you.  i'm doing a flight from jfk to bos and on my active route page it has all the speed/alt schedules on the rh side.  why is my speed to touchdown still at 240.  i've seen this on alot of flights i've done.  do i have to manually change that information, i thought the fmc would take care of that.  240 is big difference from 130-140.  did i not enter some information in the fmc correctly?  thanks.

rich

[jrpilot]

You can either type them into the FMC maually..but by then usually you are under ATC control which they would give you a speed to maintain...but if not under ATC control you want to be 220 at 20 miles out..and 180 at 10 miles out...I believe that is what they say...

[Nexus]

The speeds on the legs page are VNAV predictions (all the ETA's are based on these)
You can modify them manually of course, but real pilots usually fly with the MCP rather than FMC during the approach and in heavy traffic airspace so control the speed via the MCP instead, more convenient. This means that you will some time along the way change modes from LNAV/VNAV to heading select and V/S.

The actual approach speeds are found in the init page as you descend  :)

[Silver1SWA]

I don't use VNAV or auto-throttle because Southwest doesn't have those features on their -700s.  

Hehe come on, gotta keep it real, right?  

[Nexus]

Ah yes, I've heard about that. What's the reason for it?
To maintain pilotage abilities, expenses?
Do they  have VNAV and A/T, but just are not able to use them  ???

[jrpilot]

[quote]Ah yes, I've heard about that. What's the reason for it?
To maintain pilotage abilities, expenses?
Do they

[Silver1SWA]

It has to do with fleet commonality and pilots.

[Nexus]

Thanks, Silver.
That makes sense  :)