I'm looking for some charts that can tell me when to climb to another level for the 737-800/900 model.

No need for charts Mikkel,Just pay attention to your OPT altitude on the CDU. When the difference between current and OPT altitude reaches 2000 ft you can perform a regular step climb. Though I think it's really rare with steps on these aircrafts.Hope it helps,

Right...that's actually what I was doing, but I thought maybe there were some actual charts...oh well.

Hi!Maybe you didn't have the information, but in the QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) of the Boeing 737, you can find a table withOptimum Altitude for each weight. Based on that table, you can determine before you are in flight, at which point you can climb higher. Waiting for a signal from the CDU is not realy professional, as you are a well trained pilot ;) , you have to know as much as possible concerning your flight before you even get on the flight deck :)Greets and happy landings!Niki

step climbs (when performed) are usually the ICAO standard of 4000ft.don't forget that the MOA is FL410 for the NG ;)

According to Bulfer"How do you determine to step-climb the 737?* Don't use the STEP TO feature and don't use ECON as your cruise mode. If you climb too soon, the engines will run near max cruise N1 and you'll have a pitch of around 4*!* Climb when the OPT ALT is within 1,000 - 1,200 ft of desired altitude. In this example, a climb to FL390 would commence when the OPT ALT reached approximately FL380. For rough calculations, the OPT ALT will increase 100 ft per 7 minutes. 15 x 7 = 1 hr 45 min in this example.* If the ambient tempt is above ISA, enter the OAT into line 3R of the PERF INIT page. This may effect the MAX ALT calculation at ISA + 15.* If you want to backup the FMC calculation, check your optimum altitude chart and the cruise thrust limit chart.* Enter the new altitude on the CRZ page and check the new ETA and FEUL AT destination before executing.* If you check the 1.3 Buffet Boundary chart you'll find you're in good shape. This chart is actually not real useful for step-climbing as the speed tape has the same information.""* 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 too early.* Note that the NOW prompt appears when MAX ALT equals entry in LSK 1R.* It is not impossible or necessarily unsafe to climb to MAX ALT, however it is not normal, and should only be done in certain situations such as when faced with the choice of a very low altitude or max altitude."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+ | NEC LCD 1980SXi 19" | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro |

Thanks Randy...I have few questions though. If I'm not supposed to use ECON as my cruise mode, what should I use then? Somehow my max altitude is below my opt altitude so I can't climb to the opt altitude because the FMC gives me a warning. Also, climbing to FL390 when opt alt. reached FL380 would give me the same warning on the FMC...what am I doing wrong?

>Maybe you didn't have the information, but in the QRH (Quick>Reference Handbook) of the Boeing 737, you can find a table>with Optimum Altitude for each weight.Where can I find this QRH? I cant seen to see anything in the manuals supplied by PMDGCheersGavin

Sorry but as far as I can gather the STEP TO page works perfectly. The STEP TO page works fine. If you have your cruise altitude set correctly, and your step size set corectly, the STEP TO function works perfectly. You will notices it asks you step when you are 1000ft (or could be 1100ft) below optimum to climb to 1000ft above optimum (assuming you're using a 2,000ft step size). The ECON (standard setting for the FMC) also works perfectly well.Also, many airlines infact use a 2000ft step size - it's more economical.RegardsRudy