I've tried too many times and have been unsuccessful on every attempt. For some reason I am not able to activate VNAV, always get the same annoying messages " VNAV Disconnect" & "Unable CRZ ALT". Have gone through the available FMC tutorial and I still fail this test with an "F". Would like to solicite help from other PMDG users who may have something they can share to help us novice pilots properly configure the FMC for a vertical navigation.Bob

Bob,That error you get typically means that your cruise alt is too high for the route. Basically, the plane wants to begin descending before you reach your cruise alt ;-)Perhaps if you posted a list of what you do when you program the FMC, along with the route you are taking, I can be of better service than my blind shot in the dark in the above paragraph ;-)

Bob, you'r not alone;-)http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho..._id=12265&page=

sorry about that FredTaking a short flight from KMCO (Orlando, Fl.) to Houston (KIAH). I have set the cruise altitude to FL270 and cruise speed to .75 mach. I have also entered information on all the other screens including my route, takeoff settings, destination runway, takeoff runway, flaps, etc, etc.At 3000 feet altitude I engage both VNAV and LNAV. The plane will make the turn to capture my route in LNAV but I get no lights on VNAV other then the messages on the FMC.As you may have determine by now, I don't have much experience in using the FMC and am sure that is where my major problem. I appreciate your help.Bob

Can you place the aircraft in HDG SEL on the route path and engage LVL CHG, be sure your MCP ALT is set to your CRZ ALT of FL270'. Then once clmbing, make sure all FMC messages are clear and try engaging Vnav then. If this fails, set you crz altitude to FL200 *on crz page ;)* and see if it engages. I would like to see a screenshot of your panel with the Navigation Display OPEN on map mode with RANGE of 160 to see TOC and TOD if possible. [h5]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smith [h4]P M D G 7 3 7 NG[/h4] [h3] Realism on the horizon [h5]AMD XP 2200 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ][i] K7S5A MB[/i] |GF2 MX 32 MEG and still runs GOOD!|WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"[/h5]

Thanks Fred, will try this later tonight and update this thread with results.Bob DemarestAlabaster, AlabamaGateway 700x, 2GHZ512 MB RAMBUS memory80 GB Maxtor driveRadeon 9700 PRO AGP graphics