Spoilers & 737NG behaviour
This likely has nothing to do with PM (although it might), but I'm just wondering if anyone flying any 737 flight models has any success with speed brakes when it comes to slowing down the airplane.
I use the PDMG 737-800 flight model (no panels) and I cannot see any evidence that the spoilers have any effect at all when it comes to slowing down a descent. In fact, most times when I extend the spoilers, the engines spool up to maintain the same speed I guess. Even when the engines are at idle, the plane does not slow down. I'm almost never able to be at 250 knots or less when I descend below 10,000'.
Also, in a somewhat related question, I read that the preferred & most economical way to descend from cruise altitude is to have a descent with idle power. I have yet to see that in any of the flights I made. I'm not sure if PM CDU is not calculating properly or whether something is not quite the way it should be.
In a nutshell, the descents are always the most problematic for me. Is anyone out there able to control their descents properly (especially the speed), and if yes, could you please share how you do it?
Thanks,
Maurice