Calculating Descent

[Jackpilot]

To calculate TOD here is another real world super easy method.
DIVIDE YOUR FL ALTITUDE BY 3 and make it the distance in NM between the airport and the TOD.
EX: AT fl300 start descent at 100 NM DME from the runway
AT 24 000Ft start descent at 80 NM DME from the runway
Piece of cake

To refine it if the IAF or a close point has a DME make it your altitude minus the altitude mandatory at the IAF and divide by 3
FL240 and IAF at 3000= 24000-3000=21000 ....TOD at 70NM from IAF

Disconnect autothrottle, thrust lever to idle and get there right on the nose...
AND AFTER THAT FLY YOUR STAR MANUAL AND FORGET THE CDU...AND SWEAT AND HAVE FUN!!!!
__________________
Jackpilot
B737NG

[dodiano]

Remember to add 8nm to that for the decelaration from your descen t speed to 250kt below 10,000.

Regards,

Roberto

[michelmvd]

and the wind component ....

Greetings
Michel

[Jackpilot]

Remember to add 8nm to that for the decelaration from your descen t speed to 250kt below 10,000.

and the wind component .....

..and many other factors...including the glide performance of the type...

Of course the CDU is making a more precise job (when it works) but I never came in too high too fast with that method (sim or real) and it is much easier to add a little bit of power when needed to decrease the rate of descent or maintain speed, or to control speed with pitch at idle in order to arrive at the assigned altitude/speed, than it is to mix pitching down and slowing the aircraft with spoilers. (ie: being ahead of the machine not behind it.)
But this is manual flying, and I love it

[Michael Carter]

So do I.

How can you possibly ever feel connected to the aircraft and master the aircraft if the computer is always handling the flying.