Descent and V/S-FLCH issues

[JAMES WEBSTER]

Hi guys,

I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds warning
" Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual CDU
TOD.

As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the Throttels first
and then selecting Descend now works.

James

[Ray Proudfoot]

James,

I'll try that suggestion and see if it solves the problem.

Thanks.


"JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
> warning
> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual CDU
> TOD.
>
> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the Throttels
> first
> and then selecting Descend now works.
>
> James
>

[Ray Proudfoot]

James,

I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in the
past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's only
because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.

Cheers.


"JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
> warning
> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual CDU
> TOD.
>
> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the Throttels
> first
> and then selecting Descend now works.
>
> James
>

[JAMES WEBSTER]

Sorry about that.

I use it online a fair bit if a flight ahead of me reports some chop at a
certain flight level near a waypoint on my route.

Hope you get sorted.

James

[Eddie Armaos]

Ray and James,

I didn't have any problem with the descent now function. I use it very
often
about 10-20 miles earlier then than the calculated ToD for passengers
confort like many airways use it in real life. The same logic is also works
with the AltIntervention to a lower altitude and the a/c starts a descent
with -1000F/M

Do you have problems like these I posted? (on ToD the a/c continues in
straight level flight without descent?, or any problems with V/S or FLCH?)


Thanks


Eddie

[Ray Proudfoot]

Eddie,

I don't use VS or FLCH. If I'm told to start down by Radar Contact I usually

request a Pilot Discretion which if granted allows me to start down at the
ToD. If it isn't granted I just nag until they relent .

Enrico's back now so perhaps he can look into this.

Cheers.


"Eddie Armaos" wrote in message
news:388789.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Ray and James,
>
> I didn't have any problem with the descent now function. I use it very
> often
> about 10-20 miles earlier then than the calculated ToD for passengers
> confort like many airways use it in real life. The same logic is also
> works
> with the AltIntervention to a lower altitude and the a/c starts a descent
> with -1000F/M
>
> Do you have problems like these I posted? (on ToD the a/c continues in
> straight level flight without descent?, or any problems with V/S or
FLCH?)
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Eddie
>
>
>
>
>

[Enrico Schiratti]

> Do you have problems like these I posted? (on ToD the a/c continues in
> straight level flight without descent?, or any problems with V/S or
FLCH?)

I have been going through this as well, and I can't reproduce it... wonder
whether it has anything to do with the way the offsets are being used/ set
and re-set?

If I remember correctly you have an FSBUS implementation? To avoid any
confusion, I am not using the CPFlight hardware but clicking on the graphics

on my end, you will understand I can't have a hardware setup for any
possible permutation used out there.

Can you give me a scenario where the things you observed can be reproduced
here by me?

Ciao

Enrico

[Enrico Schiratti]

Hi Ray,

I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend now as
it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I am able

to do something about them.

Ciao

Enrico

"Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> James,
>
> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in the
> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's
only
> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>
> Cheers.
>
>
> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>> Hi guys,
>>
>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
>> warning
>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual CDU
>> TOD.
>>
>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the Throttels
>> first
>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>
>> James
>>
>

[Ray Proudfoot]

Hi Enrico,

I'm using the Aerosoft MCP. I dial in the lower altitude (but don't press
the white altitude knob) and then press Descend Now but the aircraft refuses

to descend. Are you using the Aerosoft MCP? I wonder if that might be a
factor?

Cheers,


"Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
news:389238.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Hi Ray,
>
> I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend now
as
> it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I am
> able
>
> to do something about them.
>
> Ciao
>
> Enrico
>
> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
> news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>> James,
>>
>> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in
the
>> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's
> only
>> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>>
>> Cheers.
>>
>>
>> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
>> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>> Hi guys,
>>>
>>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
>>> warning
>>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual CDU
>>> TOD.
>>>
>>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the Throttels
>>> first
>>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>>
>>> James
>>>
>>
>

[Bill Trinidad]

Hi Ray,

I remember that Enrico told me that he DID NOT have an Aerosoft MCP ( that
may have changed since that time. )

I, too, have an Aerosoft MCP for my 737 but rarley use the VNAV, so I cannot

see the issue that you are describing.

Cheers,

Bill

"Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
news:389256.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Hi Enrico,
>
> I'm using the Aerosoft MCP. I dial in the lower altitude (but don't press
> the white altitude knob) and then press Descend Now but the aircraft
> refuses
>
> to descend. Are you using the Aerosoft MCP? I wonder if that might be a
> factor?
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
> news:389238.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>> Hi Ray,
>>
>> I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend now
> as
>> it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I am
>> able
>>
>> to do something about them.
>>
>> Ciao
>>
>> Enrico
>>
>> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
>> news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>> James,
>>>
>>> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in
> the
>>> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's
>> only
>>> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>>>
>>> Cheers.
>>>
>>>
>>> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
>>> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>> Hi guys,
>>>>
>>>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
>>>> warning
>>>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual CDU
>>>> TOD.
>>>>
>>>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the Throttels
>>>> first
>>>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>>>
>>>> James
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

[Enrico Schiratti]

> I remember that Enrico told me that he DID NOT have an Aerosoft MCP (
that
> may have changed since that time. )
>
> I, too, have an Aerosoft MCP for my 737 but rarley use the VNAV, so I
> cannot
> see the issue that you are describing.

I do not have the EFIS selector of Aerosoft, I do have the MCP.


> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
> news:389256.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>> Hi Enrico,
>>
>> I'm using the Aerosoft MCP. I dial in the lower altitude (but don't
press
>> the white altitude knob) and then press Descend Now but the aircraft
>> refuses
>>
>> to descend. Are you using the Aerosoft MCP? I wonder if that might be a
>> factor?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>>
>> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
>> news:389238.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>> Hi Ray,
>>>
>>> I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend now
>> as
>>> it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I am
>>> able
>>>
>>> to do something about them.
>>>
>>> Ciao
>>>
>>> Enrico
>>>
>>> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
>>> news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>> James,
>>>>
>>>> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in
>> the
>>>> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's
>>> only
>>>> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
>>>> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>>> Hi guys,
>>>>>
>>>>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
>>>>> warning
>>>>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual
CDU
>>>>> TOD.
>>>>>
>>>>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the
Throttels
>>>>> first
>>>>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>>>>
>>>>> James
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

[Enrico Schiratti]

> I'm using the Aerosoft MCP. I dial in the lower altitude (but don't press
> the white altitude knob) and then press Descend Now but the aircraft
> refuses
>
> to descend. Are you using the Aerosoft MCP? I wonder if that might be a
> factor?

I am trying all sorts of combinations, including the Aerosoft MCP... it is
rather tedious, I am afraid.

Ciao

Enrico


> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
> news:389238.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>> Hi Ray,
>>
>> I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend now
> as
>> it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I am
>> able
>>
>> to do something about them.
>>
>> Ciao
>>
>> Enrico
>>
>> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
>> news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>> James,
>>>
>>> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in
> the
>>> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's
>> only
>>> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>>>
>>> Cheers.
>>>
>>>
>>> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
>>> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>> Hi guys,
>>>>
>>>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
>>>> warning
>>>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual CDU
>>>> TOD.
>>>>
>>>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the Throttels
>>>> first
>>>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>>>
>>>> James
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

[Ray Proudfoot]

Hi Enrico,

I'm sorry it's so tedious for you. Perhaps if I describe each action it may

help.

1. I'm cruising at FL350 and still 50 miles from ToD.
2. Radar Contact controller orders me down to FL290.
3. I dial up 29000 on the Aerosoft MCP (but don't press the white button).
35000 is still displayed on the PFD in magenta.
4. I bring up the Desc page on the CDU and press 'Descend Now'. I would
expect the aircraft to engage a 1000fpm descent but it doesn't. It
stubbornly stays at FL350. The only way I can initiate the descent is by
switching to V/S and dialling up a descent rate. Not what I want I'm
afraid.

I'm running build 435 of the PFD, 371 of the CDU and 405 of the MCP. The MCP

is running on the FS PC and the PFD and CDU are running on my other PC via
WideFS. I fly the PMDG737-700 and use the MCP in 747MCP mode with VNav Des
SPD control enabled and Auto V/S enabled. Full 8 Mode ND is also enabled.

I hope that helps.

Cheers.



"Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
news:389269.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>> I'm using the Aerosoft MCP. I dial in the lower altitude (but don't
press
>> the white altitude knob) and then press Descend Now but the aircraft
>> refuses
>>
>> to descend. Are you using the Aerosoft MCP? I wonder if that might be a
>> factor?
>
> I am trying all sorts of combinations, including the Aerosoft MCP... it
is
> rather tedious, I am afraid.
>
> Ciao
>
> Enrico
>
>
>> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
>> news:389238.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>> Hi Ray,
>>>
>>> I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend now
>> as
>>> it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I am
>>> able
>>>
>>> to do something about them.
>>>
>>> Ciao
>>>
>>> Enrico
>>>
>>> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
>>> news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>> James,
>>>>
>>>> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in
>> the
>>>> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's
>>> only
>>>> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
>>>> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>>> Hi guys,
>>>>>
>>>>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM sounds
>>>>> warning
>>>>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual
CDU
>>>>> TOD.
>>>>>
>>>>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the
Throttels
>>>>> first
>>>>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>>>>
>>>>> James
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

[Enrico Schiratti]

Hi,

I will give it a go with that combination... since when is this dreadful
thing happening to you? Has it worked before on this setup?

Ciao

Enrico

"Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
news:389328.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Hi Enrico,
>
> I'm sorry it's so tedious for you. Perhaps if I describe each action it
> may
>
> help.
>
> 1. I'm cruising at FL350 and still 50 miles from ToD.
> 2. Radar Contact controller orders me down to FL290.
> 3. I dial up 29000 on the Aerosoft MCP (but don't press the white
button).
> 35000 is still displayed on the PFD in magenta.
> 4. I bring up the Desc page on the CDU and press 'Descend Now'. I would
> expect the aircraft to engage a 1000fpm descent but it doesn't. It
> stubbornly stays at FL350. The only way I can initiate the descent is by
> switching to V/S and dialling up a descent rate. Not what I want I'm
> afraid.
>
> I'm running build 435 of the PFD, 371 of the CDU and 405 of the MCP. The
> MCP
>
> is running on the FS PC and the PFD and CDU are running on my other PC
via
> WideFS. I fly the PMDG737-700 and use the MCP in 747MCP mode with VNav
Des
> SPD control enabled and Auto V/S enabled. Full 8 Mode ND is also enabled.
>
> I hope that helps.
>
> Cheers.
>
>
>
> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
> news:389269.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>> I'm using the Aerosoft MCP. I dial in the lower altitude (but don't
> press
>>> the white altitude knob) and then press Descend Now but the aircraft
>>> refuses
>>>
>>> to descend. Are you using the Aerosoft MCP? I wonder if that might be a
>>> factor?
>>
>> I am trying all sorts of combinations, including the Aerosoft MCP... it
> is
>> rather tedious, I am afraid.
>>
>> Ciao
>>
>> Enrico
>>
>>
>>> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
>>> news:389238.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>> Hi Ray,
>>>>
>>>> I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend
now
>>> as
>>>> it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I am
>>>> able
>>>>
>>>> to do something about them.
>>>>
>>>> Ciao
>>>>
>>>> Enrico
>>>>
>>>> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
>>>> news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>>> James,
>>>>>
>>>>> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked in
>>> the
>>>>> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem. It's
>>>> only
>>>>> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
>>>>> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>>>> Hi guys,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM
sounds
>>>>>> warning
>>>>>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual
> CDU
>>>>>> TOD.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the
> Throttels
>>>>>> first
>>>>>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> James
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

[Serge D'hollander]

Hi Enrico,

I use the descend now excatly as Ray described it and I have absolutely the
same problem and I have also the Aerosoft 747MCP. It has worked fine in the
past but this is happening since a long time and I did not report it
because I though it was an isolated case.

I have tried all possible ways to no avail : set ALT on MCP, reduce throtle,
hit descend now, push the ALT knob but the aircraft stays on the same
altitude. the only way to have it change is with FL CH or reset VNAV.

Just to give my input.
Best,
Serge.

[Enrico Schiratti]

And you have a 747 bitmap/mode selected in the MCP.exe?

"Serge D'hollander" wrote in message
news:389453.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Hi Enrico,
>
> I use the descend now excatly as Ray described it and I have absolutely
> the
> same problem and I have also the Aerosoft 747MCP. It has worked fine in
> the
> past but this is happening since a long time and I did not report it
> because I though it was an isolated case.
>
> I have tried all possible ways to no avail : set ALT on MCP, reduce
> throtle,
> hit descend now, push the ALT knob but the aircraft stays on the same
> altitude. the only way to have it change is with FL CH or reset VNAV.
>
> Just to give my input.
> Best,
> Serge.
>
>

[Serge D'hollander]

Enrico,

Yes the 747 MCP is selected in the options screen.

Regards,
Serge.

[Ray Proudfoot]

Hi Enrico,

LOL! I do have worse things that happen ;-)

I'm afraid I can't be specific about a time when it worked but it has
definitely worked in the past. I have the 737 BMP loaded but I have the full

forward view enabled. i.e. no visible PM panel. I wonder if it's worth
trying this with the panel visible? I'll try later and report back.

Cheers.



"Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
news:389445.77722@wb.onvix.com...
> Hi,
>
> I will give it a go with that combination... since when is this dreadful
> thing happening to you? Has it worked before on this setup?
>
> Ciao
>
> Enrico
>
> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
> news:389328.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>> Hi Enrico,
>>
>> I'm sorry it's so tedious for you. Perhaps if I describe each action it
>> may
>>
>> help.
>>
>> 1. I'm cruising at FL350 and still 50 miles from ToD.
>> 2. Radar Contact controller orders me down to FL290.
>> 3. I dial up 29000 on the Aerosoft MCP (but don't press the white
> button).
>> 35000 is still displayed on the PFD in magenta.
>> 4. I bring up the Desc page on the CDU and press 'Descend Now'. I would
>> expect the aircraft to engage a 1000fpm descent but it doesn't. It
>> stubbornly stays at FL350. The only way I can initiate the descent is by
>> switching to V/S and dialling up a descent rate. Not what I want I'm
>> afraid.
>>
>> I'm running build 435 of the PFD, 371 of the CDU and 405 of the MCP. The
>> MCP
>>
>> is running on the FS PC and the PFD and CDU are running on my other PC
> via
>> WideFS. I fly the PMDG737-700 and use the MCP in 747MCP mode with VNav
> Des
>> SPD control enabled and Auto V/S enabled. Full 8 Mode ND is also
enabled.
>>
>> I hope that helps.
>>
>> Cheers.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
>> news:389269.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>> I'm using the Aerosoft MCP. I dial in the lower altitude (but don't
>> press
>>>> the white altitude knob) and then press Descend Now but the aircraft
>>>> refuses
>>>>
>>>> to descend. Are you using the Aerosoft MCP? I wonder if that might be
a
>>>> factor?
>>>
>>> I am trying all sorts of combinations, including the Aerosoft MCP... it
>> is
>>> rather tedious, I am afraid.
>>>
>>> Ciao
>>>
>>> Enrico
>>>
>>>
>>>> "Enrico Schiratti" wrote in message
>>>> news:389238.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>>> Hi Ray,
>>>>>
>>>>> I still can't reproduce the problem here, i.e. I do get the descend
> now
>>>> as
>>>>> it should be... looks like I am stuck trying to observe things so I
am
>>>>> able
>>>>>
>>>>> to do something about them.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ciao
>>>>>
>>>>> Enrico
>>>>>
>>>>> "Ray Proudfoot" wrote in message
>>>>> news:388711.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>>>> James,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I tried your suggestion but it didn't work. This definitely worked
in
>>>> the
>>>>>> past so I'm hoping Enrico can help. Most won't get this problem.
It's
>>>>> only
>>>>>> because I use Radar Contact I need to start down earlier than ToD.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Cheers.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "JAMES WEBSTER" wrote in message
>>>>>> news:388601.77722@wb.onvix.com...
>>>>>>> Hi guys,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have seen this as well. Not that often though. I do get a PM
> sounds
>>>>>>> warning
>>>>>>> " Top of descent in 50 miles " up to 100 miles out from the actual
>> CDU
>>>>>>> TOD.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As far as the Descend now function goes I find retarding the
>> Throttels
>>>>>>> first
>>>>>>> and then selecting Descend now works.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> James
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>