On today's flight, planner said FL370, but the plane could not climb past FL350... so that made me wonder if step climbs are implemented on SU2?

Hi Moshe,I'm not sure what you mean - my PMDG 737NG certainly climbs to FL370, even with a full load. Did you change anything in the aircraft.cfg or airfile?Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

I know that Captian Bulfer (737 NG User's Guide) states that one should not use step climbs on the real bird (does not mean that the option is not really availible on the bird tho, it is). We do have a new CRZ option for SU2 like the real NG, you will have to see what I am talking about when it's released ;)[h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/196432/winglets_lg.jpg

Just to clarify Captain Bulfer (737 NG User's Guide) does NOT state that one should not use step climbs on the real bird. Step climbs are part of any routine long range high weight flights, and occur on a regular basis. Captain Bulfer stated in his opinion the FMC "advises a climb when it is actually too early". He goes on to state if you climb to soon, the engines will run near max cruise and have a pitch of around 4 degrees. Hans Schmid

Well I do not take being *in correctly* corrected very well ;) So here is really what Bulfer said and I QUOTE: " It is the opinion of the author that this feature (STEP TO) should not be used. It will advise a climb when it is actually to early."Page 103 FMC GUIDE 737NG Is there any reason why you would leave out the first half of the quote (thus proving my point in my previous thred)? Maybe you own a different edition?? And I would like to add that one can just as easy use CRZ CLIMB feature.....[h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/196432/winglets_lg.jpg

Sorry I didn't mean to offend you Randy. The thread started with a question regarding step climbs. Step climbs are a daily operation on many aircraft, as fuel is burned off the aircraft obviously has greater altitude capabilities. The thread then drifted to the Step TO function of the FMS, you are correct in your page reference and the quote you provided from Captain's Bulfer's book. You are probably well aware the function works equally well for climbs or descents. Care to expand on what the CRZ CLIMB feature is?

I would like to say that I was not offended ;), I love talks about in depth NG FMC functions, so I will say that in general that you are correct about climbing to higher altitudes etc but bulfer was saying he does not trust strictly going by the step to's prompt TIMING to do so which you stated. On the Real NG's CRZ page, one can crz *climb* or crz *descend* to a new crz altitude byA: Reseting the MCP altitude (which will place the new CRZ altitude into the scratchpad if the LEGS page is diplayed)B: Input a new altitude directly into the CRZ ALT line on the LEGS page and off you go ;) Same idea as STEP TO ............................................ [h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/196432/winglets_lg.jpg

Guys,Actually I think the STEP TO will give you a cue as to when to do your CRZ CLB. But once you've decided to do that step climb you will use the mechanisms Randy is mentioning here.Capt. Bulfer states that the cues given by the STEP TO are given too early, and thus recommends not to use the STEP TO cues (but rely on your own calculations?). Just a thought... ;-)TGIF,