First let me say I love this plane, and I can't wait for future add-ons.Now, I've decided to fly my approaches visually using the FMC and ILS indicators as reference for my path. Now when I get about 15 NM out from the airport I disengage the A/T and manually maintain my speed. From what I've read at different places, they say that about 6 NM out you should be at flaps 15 and make sure the gear is down, along with auto-brake and speed-brake armed. Then cycle through to flaps 30 as speed permits. The final should then be around Vref + 5 to land. The problem is that I seem to fall short or stall (A/P is also disengaged by now). It seems as though the Vref is really too low in MSFS no matter what I fly. I don't feel too low, usually 2000+ above runway at 6 NM. Am I letting the plane descend too low by following the FMC path on the ND? What else could I be doing wrong, or what corrective measures should I be taking? Any help would be much appreciated,Chris

Chris ,well the other day I did a full Tutorial from I think los Angeles to NEW YORK or something. It took me through the whole process of programming the FMC and everything else including fuel . Its a great tutorials. Now heres the amazing part. You can either do this with auto pilot engaged or simply fly manaually either way all the correct references for speeed and flaps corresponding to your actuall landing weight were visable and known therefore when I landed at New York like swan touching a pond then yes this 737 lands perfectly. The only thing I can think of is that your landing weight was to high e,g too much of the old fuel.I think I landed the 737 in New York at flaps 40 and a speed of 114 Knots. Lovely and I hadnt managed to stall once. Lets have a look where u can find this tutorial............PMDG 737 NG Flight Tutorial = search the following on avsim and yu'll get the tutorial.... The thing is with these fantastic PMDG aircraft you neeed to do a bit of prep before the whole flight. Which I think we all like . If you get this right the flight will go from A to B like a breeeze. Sorrry if the above isnt much help but it worked wonders for me. Good LUCK and enjoy Juan JAG Glasgow Tech BA

Hi Juan,>The only thing I can think of is that your landing weight was to high e,g too much of the old fuel.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

I've only used the autoland once to see what it's like-I hand fly all approaches and SID's as that's where the challenge is for me.In my experience, the aircraft handles beautifully on the approach given it being at the correct configuration at the correct speed... I believe that in reality-pilots use the PAPI lights abeam the runway once they are clearly in view and fly by that, they dont usually use the FMC path when on short final.One thing you should note is that if you get too low below the glideslope and need to level off for a big-you really need to increase engine power to around 65% (in my experience, or course depending on config) just to maintain pitch,alt and speed.Practice practice practice!JohnP 2.53 GHZ512 RAMWINXPGFORCE 4 128MB Ti4600http://homepage.eircom.net/~eamonnmca/images/logo_ba.JPGwww.bavirtual.co.uk Senior Captain Simflight.com Staff Reviewerhttp://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

Interesting u being a BA virtual pilot. many months ago I used to fly with them but couldnt keep up the hours online terrible I know. i would try anything to get back into it but every time I send the application its always rejected happy flying. Enjoy the flying I'll just keep servicing those dam 737/a320's here at Glasgow Maintence bade Juan

Yeah BAV certainly is a great VA, certainly one of the best around...1000 active pilots and that's capped!Keep trying, this VA is only gonna get better...100 pilots on the waiting list so it may take time.I was actually removed from the VA roster due to lack of hours, I wrote a real nice email to the HR guy and he gave me a second chance ;)You should try it ?JohnP 2.53 GHZ512 RAMWINXPGFORCE 4 128MB Ti4600http://homepage.eircom.net/~eamonnmca/images/logo_ba.JPGwww.bavirtual.co.uk Senior Captain Simflight.com Staff Reviewerhttp://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

John,From the Boeing issued manual page 1.20.33 (B737-700) [Just a sample](A) Terminal area (altitude 5000 ft, flaps 15, gear down)Weight/KIAS/Pitch/N1 110,000/VREF40+20/6.0/65%130,000/VREF40+20/6.5/70%(:( Final approach (flaps 30 gear down)Weight/KIAS/Pitch/N1110,000/VREF30+10/2.0/51%130,000/VREF30+10/2.5/55%Check the numbers and compare :)Best regards,VangelisPS. Quick hint if you want to take off and land for practice without initialising FMC etc. On final approach adjust speed so that your pitch is around 3.0 degrees (flaps 30) or around 1.5 degrees (flaps 40). Your IAS will then correspond to VREF+5 (i.e. the correct approach speed). Furthermore, flaps 40 are rarily used --- just burns more fuel. ===================================== E. M. Vaos Precision Manuals Development Group www.precisionmanuals.com=====================================