Is there a rule of thumb for determining heights / distances when bringing the aircraft in to land ie to complete the fmc info.thanks eric

If you're talking about descent I believe the rule is 1:3, 1 mile for every three thousand feet needed to descend. Either way, the FMC will calculate your descent profile for you?

>If you're talking about descent I believe the rule is 1:3, 1>mile for every three thousand feet needed to descend. Either>way, the FMC will calculate your descent profile for you?'Tother way round, actually :-) For example, let's say your cruise level is FL370 and your desired approach altitude is 3000 ft. 37000 minus 3000 is 34000. Knock off the zeroes and you get 34. Multiply that by three and you get 102.So if you start on down about 102 miles before your final approach point you'll be in the ballpark (all other things being equal, which they rarely are!).However, as already said, the FMC will calculate your top of descent point for you anyway, but the three to one rule is a good cross check.Hope this helpsMike

thanks for that Mike when you say the fmc will calculate tod etc given the arrival airport does that mean the fmc will take you down automatically to the runway or would I need to make some inputs to the autopilot or the fmc or both if so what would this info need to be?sorry to be a pain,Eric

Hi Eskemeer,DES management is one of the most challenging things in a jet.The suggestion of a 3:1 profile is good. ie the amount of alt you have to lose times three = des distance. I also have a few profiles for you in the Geezer Guide avilable from my sig below. If you need a bit more help just add me to your MSN list and give me a shout when I am online. I will also be doing a tutorial from SIMHARDWARE on 13JUL that I hope will be webcast as well as recorded on video. In it we will cover this fairly closely along with other more advnaced parts of 737NG flying.Just as a general hint guys and ladies:Press teh METRES button on your EFIS control panel and you will see an approximate readout of your DES Distance in blue above your current altitude :DRgds,

"Press the METRES button on your EFIS control panel and you will see an approximate readout of your DES Distance in blue above your current altitude"... assuming your airport is at sea level (or thereabouts) ;-)Cheers.Ian