OnCourse Software

Afternoon all

Flight VHHH > TCTP(FL350)

Not sure what I'm missing when reaching TOD(FMC). I get no descent instructions from ATC, when I try and descend I get the 'nag' to climb.

I'm now to high on the approach.

The flight up to then has been spot on. Good step climbs, no issues

I'm sure it is something I have not setup

I am now getting the step descents but way to late.

Log added, not sure if it is all there, as I'm still 'live'

Thanks Clive

Alpha117 wrote: *

Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:49 pm

Afternoon all

Flight VHHH > TCTP(FL350)

Not sure what I'm missing when reaching TOD(FMC). I get no descent instructions from ATC, when I try and descend I get the 'nag' to climb.

I'm now to high on the approach.

The flight up to then has been spot on. Good step climbs, no issues

I'm sure it is something I have not setup

I am now getting the step descents but way to late.

Log added, not sure if it is all there, as I'm still 'live'

Thanks Clive

Both PF3 and real ATC have absolutely no idea at all of what you have set-up in your FMC. The FMC TOD is purely an advisory for the crew based on economy and aircraft weight. It is not an instruction to ATC. What you can do is request a lower altitude if it is really important that you descend at "exactly" the TOD point. Otherwise wait and let PF3 give you clearance later on. It may mean a slightly steeper descent initially or not. You can also request a lower altitude in your waypoints adjustments page.

Thanks,

Just landed at RCTP, in fact the descent was 'very good', you just have to wait for the decent from PF3.

In fact this flight was spot on for straight A>B. I haven't tried anything else YET, like DTO, Alternate.

So, It is all in the setup, again it only takes a few minutes, job done.

I just need to figure out what I need to 'tweak' in the setup

Very good.

Log attached, is there anything 'obvious' that I need to 'tweak?

Alpha117 wrote: *

Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:49 pm

Not sure what I'm missing when reaching TOD(FMC). I get no descent instructions from ATC, when I try and descend I get the 'nag' to climb.

I'm now to high on the approach.

You can request a descent (or climb) at any point in the flight.

Usually, if you have set the plan up correctly for PF3 (i.e. you have modifed the altitudes at your last waypoints per the manual) you should get instructed to descend at the correct point. But if not, just ask for a lower altitude. And you can keep doing that (if you wish) all the way to the runway coming into sight.

John

Alpha117 wrote: *

Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:13 pm

Thanks,


In fact this flight was spot on for straight A>B. I haven't tried anything else YET, like DTO, Alternate

This is a short flight of about 12 minutes airborne. The alternate however is about 5,000nm away! It works and PF3 will vector you all the way. Just make sure you have enough fuel!

Guys

I have had a similar situation. I have requested lower altitudes from ATC when I reach my TOD, which work fine, but then PF3 seems to forget to hand me off to the subsequent Approach and Tower frequencies for landing. I end up with no comms even if I manually tune to the correct frequencies.

I know it´s most likely me doing something wrong but cannot yet figure it out. Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks and regards

Ken

When you say you 'have had' a similar situation I'm assuming it's not a current issue. Should you experience this problem again please ensure you ZIP and attach your current Debug_Monitor.log file from the PF3\Logs folder so we can see exactly what is, or is not, happening. Without the log we have absolutely no way of knowing what occurred.

Hi Dave

I should have said that this is a current issue with me on almost every flight I have done with my PMDG 737-800WL. I have in the past waited for ATC to offer descent but it didn´t happen so I thought I would request lower altitude which was approved. However, after requesting lower, I never get any other ATC instructions until I am lower than the assigned altitude then I get the nag on finals telling me to climb.

No doubt this is operator error on my behalf, I just want to find out if it is me, what I am doing wrong.

Attached is the zipped Debug_monitor log as requested,

Thanks and regards

Ken

Ken,
The problem here is the flight plan. Your last waypoint is only 1 mile from the airport. For best results you need to have your last waypoint about 20-30 miles out.

Hi Dave

Ok, so basically don´t save the active flight plan with SID/STAR data? That should solve the problem. I will give this a try for the return LCLK-EGPF and let you know how I get on.

Once again, thanks for the very prompt response.

Best regards

Ken