Hi friends,which is the best system for climb/descend? LVL change os V/S?And the optimal climb/descent rate?Thanks in advance for helpingLuigi ;-)

Ciao Luigi,well, LVL CHG is best used for major altitude changes, were the A/P commands pitch to mantain a set speed and a fixed thrust setting.V/S is best used for small altitude changes. I usually use it when going from a cruise level to a higher one, so that the change is very smooth, especially for passenger comfort.Not being a real life pilot I don't know if there are times when it's best to use one or the other, but that's how I do it.Saluti,Bjorn

Bjorn, Do you find when you use LVL CHG the aircarft goes up or down like a rocket. I dont mean this to be specific to the 737Ng I have found that to happen on other boeing add ons. I have had a few flights in my life and I can for the life of me remember ever going up or down like that. Anyway just curious.Thanks Andrew

Well I have flown on many NGs since I am in SouthWest land (KSJC) and would say that it depends on the pilot. Most pilots hand fly up to a certain point but the pilots I have talked to have stated that the Real NG does indeed pitch up aggressively in LVL CH. Boeing suggests any altitude change under 1000' one should use V/S. Now that does not mean that pilots don't use it for larger changes, it's just using it with a good techniques ;)Anyways there are some improvements coming in this department ;) [h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/196432/winglets_lg.jpg [h3] 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"[/h3]

OK boys,and, what about the climb/descent rate?Thank youLuigi ;-)

Hi Luigi,actually there is no fixed optimal rate of descent/climb. It depends on the weight of the aircraft, altitude (air pressure) and what thrust you

Hi Andrew,well indeed the 737 is powerful, especially the -600 is overpowered, but this in real life too. One thing you have to take into account is the weight. When I'm not too heavy I always select a de-rated climb thrust setting which gives me comfortable climb rates at thrust reduction altitude. If using LVL_CHG during descent even here the weight has to be taken into account. Since the A/P commands an idle descent and pitches to mantain speed, the lighter you are, the steeper it has too pitch down to accelerate to the set speed. I do have read that it is not uncommon to descend even at speeds greater then 300kts in real life though, so I would guess that would result in pretty steep descents I'm sure.Regarding the fact that you say you have noticed this on all your Boeing add-ons, well I guess that Boeings are indeed built for performance also, whereas the Airbus are known not to be Ferraris! :-)Regards,Bjorn