Those who have tried this short realistic 3rd-part freeware flight will have appreciated its use of real ATC and the supplied STAR and numerous other relevant charts. Except that it loads the default 737. I have tried substituting the 737NG-700 and though tricky this works fine until the final stages of the descent - for me at least. The problem seems to lie in the flight mode. It wants to stay in CLB but will go to CRZ sometimes, even CON and GA! Either way I can't seem to control the mode or get it to slow for the approach below 290kts indicated. How can I change mode in a non-FMC flight where there is no preceding takeoff and climb? Am I wasting my time trying to fly this a/c using a mid-flight start i.e. from CRZ at FL310, 320kts. All and any references to the manual readily accepted. As a first-time poster, a big thank-you to Avsim and the many contributors to this forum especially those who demonstrate the maturity to fly the real thing. You know who you are I think. And a special tribute to the vision and commitment to excellence of the Team at PMDG. With every good wishGarethLEAL

"How can I change mode in a non-FMC flight where there is no preceding takeoff and climb?" Hello Gareth, I think you are concerned with something that has nothing to do with the actual MODE the aircraft is in this situation. The MODES are displayed on the pilot's flight display, such as LVL CH, V/S, VNAV etc. What you are looking at are the thrust mode annuciations which are N1 limits for a particular phase of flight. There is no DES thrust mode annunciation on the display ever. What you will see are thesehttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/88959.jpg Set your desired speed on the MCP speed window and hit LVL CH. You can also use V/S. Since your question asked "in a non-FMC flight" these are your options. You can even use CWS MODES which are a lot like fly by wire (albiet not as advanced on the Boeing NG as Airbus). Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4][h3]P M D G's 747-400[/h3][h4]coming to a runway near you[/h4][/font color]Caution! Not a real pilot, but do play one on TV ;-)AMD 64 3200+ | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro | Windows Xp Pro 64 |

Hello RandyThanks, I appreciated your prompt reply. You are absolutely right - its about N1 mode annunciations. When I load the LFPG Approach situation and change from the default 737 to the PMDG -700 I get it stabilised and presto there I am settled in the cruise at FL310. Soon the controllers start descending me into Paris, Charles de Gaule. So far, so good - no problem with the vertical nav. The problem is about Speed. While in the descent the N1 mode seems stuck in 'CRZ' and whatever I do I can't get the speed to go below 290kts as the FMC faithfully tries to hit its 90%+ N1 target. Of course, this is not a realistic flight and I can happily let it go - but it would be good to know if is there a way, in the descent phase, to manually change the N1 mode from CRZ to prevent the FMC trying to compute thrust - so I can decelerate and land? Anything but have to use the default 737 :) RegardsGarethLEAL