What is the DH of a 737 anyhow? I know the definition, but how many feet?When you say to put the V2 speed in the MCP, how does this work when you hit TO/GA and surpass V2 before you would engage autopilot?What is the usual lighting protocol on most commercial aircraft? I see most don't use their logo lights at all, and I've seen where the landing lights should be on below 10,000 MSL, but what about the others?Thanks in advance,Chris

Hi Vhris, hope I can help:>What is the DH of a 737 anyhow? I know the definition, but>how many feet?The DH for an airfield is set by teh regulatory authority for a particular category of approach. A DH applies only to Cat 2 and Cat3 approaches and is the same for all aircaft using that category of approach. Typically a Cat 3A is a full autoland, requiring teh engagement of both APs, and a DH of 50' and RVR of 200M. Cat3B is no DH no RVR.>When you say to put the V2 speed in the MCP, how does this>work when you hit TO/GA and surpass V2 before you would engage>autopilot?There are effectvely 4 pilots in the aircraft. 2 humans and 2 computers. They all take their cues on how to position the controls from the Flight Director and what you are doing by selecting V2 in the MCP Speed window is telling the FD to give you a pitch attitude that will maintain that speed with whatever thrust u have ie. if u have TOGA thrust on then you point at the moon, if you have 50%N1 then u have a shallow deck angle (climb attitude). So we use the V2 cue for MCP Speed to ensure that we are achieving pretty much the best rate of climb we can and this of course is all for teh single engine case.A typical takeoff is with bugs set at V1, VR and V2+15. The MCP SPeed is set to V2. The autopilot is not normally engaged below 400' and most ppl consider it good practice to leave it till at least 1000' with N1 active as the Autothrottle mode and LNAV or some other lateral mode rather than Ground Track which is what u get when you tap the TOGA button on takeoff.>>What is the usual lighting protocol on most commercial>aircraft? I see most don't use their logo lights at all, and>I've seen where the landing lights should be on below 10,000>MSL, but what about the others?All a matter of company policy.. most willuse at least LandinG Lights below 10000', logo lights same at night, and a lot of ppl use teh Runway Turnoff and or the Taxi Light as a cue for their Landing or Takeoff clearance. As alway the call rests with the Skipper.Hope this helps,Brad Marsh

Great! Now I know what DH is really for, and the same for the V2 MCP protocol. Thanks, that explains a lot. The V2 setting makes complete sense, as I should have thought of that.Thanks again,Chris

For Cat3b you need a Vis of 75M - otheriwse you can't see the taxiway lights. Anything less and ATC impose a ground stop.

At 60 knots the flight director command bars on the PFD move to a 15 degree nose up attitude (this is NOT a rotation command but an initial target attitude after VR. The flight director bars then command a pitch of V2 + 20 (the white bug on the SPD tape showing V2 + 15, this is the minimum you want to fly at). If you move the SPD button on the MCP, the SPD will jump to V2 + 20, so the flight director will be now following pitch for MCP SPD. If you engage an autopilot while in takeoff mode, LVL CH will engage for the pitch mode and the MCP SPD window will jump to V2 + 20. You can select a roll mode at 400 AGL, you can also ARM LNAV on the ground if you desire, if you did not select a roll mode before AP engagement, HDG Select will engage with LVL CH. The AFDS will leave takeoff mode if you select an autopilot of engage a pitch mode.... [h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/betaimg.jpg

Hi Randy,Good post!I want to congratulate you all on the fidelity of your sim and the overall quality of your product. I am nothing short of flabbergasted.. have you been in contact with Bill Bulfer? Bluecoat Forum?.. This thing you have created is an INVALUABLE training aid to real world pilots.. particulary those on NG.You should be peddling this to evey NG operator around the world.. it can save thousands of hours of real sim time and as cheaper than the real aeroplane as they are they are still way too expensive! Well Done All!Thanks!,Bradley Marsh