Hello,I have 2 questions, I am bit confused:On an ILS approach CYYZ 33R from KBUF, it is a very short distance:KBUF-RIDOD-AGBEK-MODUL-ZYZ-CYYZI have set the speed under LEGS option in FMC for RIDOD to be 160/3000, however before reaching this fix, i get an error "DRAG REQUIRED" which I understand, and deploy spoilers. However,onceat RIDOD and at 160kts, I push VNAV, but the FMC stays on MCP SPD. The next 3 waypoints in LEGS are all at or BELOW the speed RIDOD fix. What am I doing wrong?Secondly, how can I set the FMC to cruise at a speed I prefer? Is this done through the cost index? If so, is there a chart that correlates cost index with speed in kts? The reason I am asking this is in part due to my 1st question above - the FMC wants to use 250kts, and i am guessing it can't slow down to RIDOD fix and generates "DRAG REQUIRED".. so in lieu of me using MCP SPD, how can I program it say, to use 180kts for the segment from KBUF-RIDOD, or even for that matter the entire flight, so it has enough time to slow down and I can use VNAV for the entire flight?Thanks - any assistance to clear up this confusion would be appreciated.Josh

I have set the speed under LEGS option in FMC for RIDOD to be 160/3000, however before reaching this fix, i get an error "DRAG REQUIRED" Well technically it's not an error message, it's a advisory message letting you know that you are exceeding 15 knots from the target. This is not too much of a concern "way above" 10000' but below at getting close to 10000' it is a concern since VNAV can revert to LVL or CWS if you cannot slow below 10000' within the operating range.RIDOD and at 160kts, I push VNAV, but the FMC stays on MCP SPD. The next 3 waypoints in LEGS are all at or BELOW the speed RIDOD fix.What am I doing wrong? Well I think you left out where VNAV disconnected? I think you have too many restrictions to be bothering at this point with VNAV PATH, why not go VNAV SPD or LVL CH in this case? Secondly, how can I set the FMC to cruise at a speed I prefer? Is this done through the cost index? If so, is there a chart that correlates cost index with speed in kts? The reason I am asking this is in part due to my 1st question above - the FMC wants to use 250kts, and i am guessing it can't slow down to RIDOD fix and generates "DRAG REQUIRED".. so in lieu of me using MCP SPD, how can I program it say, to use 180kts for the segment from KBUF-RIDOD, or even for that matter the entire flight, so it has enough time to slow down and I can use VNAV for the entire flight? First you must understand that criuse and decent are very different phases as the FMC is concerned. For cruise it's as simple as pushing the SPD INTV button and then setting the speed in the MCP speed window, it will stay in VNAV and will shoe MCP/XXXX on the target line while you remain in that mode. To return to econ speed simply push the spd intv button once again. It's a good idea to do this 10 prior to T/D. For the 250/10000' restriction, it's really 240/10000' (10 knot buffer speed). The aircraft can handle this IF you input the FMC with all the correct data (weather being the number one culprit). You have other real world option other than the default VNAV PATH decent. You can use VNAV SPD decent which will keep the target speed forsaking the path (not a big deal really as this will still honor restrictions). LVL CH or V/S are other ggood options. It's all about pre planning your descent. In fact descents are the most challenging to the real world pilot and here in the sim. If you want to use some restrictions in VNAV path be prepared to SLOW MANUALLY. There are ways to get this done. You could always LEVEL OFF temporary by hitting ALT HOLD (not the best way but hey it works to slow) then re-engage VNAV. Don't be afraid to use the speed brakes until you have a good grip on descents. And finally, if you don't need restrictions don't make your descent any more complex and use other modes as this mimics rl more than straight VNAV PATH all the way to G/S-LOC....Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4]http://www.rawbw.com/~bdoolin/shinault/Animation1.gifCaution! 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 |

Randy,Thanks for the tips!I tried LVL CH and it seems to work. For my descent, how can I invoke VNAV SPD mode? Sometimes I see the annuciator for it show up on the PFD, but I don't see how I can select it directly.>>You can use VNAV SPD decent which will keep the target speed >>forsaking the path (not a big deal really as this will still honor >>restrictions). By this, are you suggesting path is still controlled by LNAV, that's why you still use VNAV SPD in lieu of VNAV PATH ?Cheers,Josh

Prior to TOD bring up the DEScent page on the FMC. There you will see the SPD DES prompt. Click on it to arm the mode. It will go spd descent on it's own passing TOD. LNAV is lateral mode like heading select, vnav is vertical profile.Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4]http://www.rawbw.com/~bdoolin/shinault/Animation1.gifCaution! 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 |

HiYou can change all speeds whilst VNAV is engaged by using the FMC CLB CRZ or DES pages. Just change the target speed and execute it.Ross