I went to a site that gave me all my sids/stars and waypoints that I needed for a particular route ( KIND (0.0nm) -DCT-> VHP (6.8nm) -VLA5-> KSTL (203.0nm)). I was trying to manually enter airways routes in the FMC and I kept on getting "not in database." Am I doing something wrong? My FMC does not tell me that I need to download a new database. It seems that there is a database, but when I go to manuall put in a database I can't. My other problem is upon decent. How do realworld pilots descend. I'm finding that if I leave it up to the FMC it overshoots my waypoints. When I take off I usually use heading select towards my sids at which point I use LNAV upon crossing my FMC route. I'm just not sure if I'm climbing right. Do I use speed and set in an airspeed or use N1. I usually eventuall get there, but would like to know how the realworld pilots actually use the FMC/MCP. Thanks for any advice.

Looks like you are new to the forum so please take a look at the forum rules posted at the top. You need to sign your posts.Second, the forum search function can be your friend. There are lots of existing posts to help you answer both of your questions:1) Jet route question:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchAlso the manual is another place to look. Look in 08_FMC_737_678900_V14.pdf section PRE-FLIGHT INITIALIZATION PROCESS section 8-14. The section describes '(V)ictor Airways' but '(J)et Routes' work the same way. If you can't find the manual, it is available on PMDG's website.2) Using VNAV... you picked a good one here! :-) Lot's of good posts on this one. Simple answer, depends on the airlines SOP's and the pilot's preferences. Using VNAV properly requires good decent planning including taking into account upper level winds.http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchhttp://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchhttp://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchIf you are looking for more, there are lot's of others. Search on VNAV.

Alrighty, thanks, I know these questions have been asked a million times, but thanks for the advice.SK8Z27

FYI... you need to sign your posts with your real name.

ok, will do, but now i've got another question that i have not been able to find. i went to navdata.at and downloaded the latest database information, but now when i enter my route kind to kstl, after i enter kstl i get an error message that says runway 31 error not in database. i downloaded the installer, then downloaded the sids/stars and put them in the correct folders. also, i'm still having problems entering fixes in the routes pages. i keep getting not in database. i'm doing it just like it says in the manual.thanks, rich

Hi Rich,Hmmm... are you loading the route from a saved flight plan?

Hi Rich,To the best of my knowledge there is no runway 31 ar KSTL. If you check the latest data for KSTL at http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSTL you will see the runways in use. Both the 0411 cycle of NavData and Terry's sids and stars include the correct runway numbering.Michael

that may have been my problem then, thanks.rich

Yep... that was why I asked if it was a saved flight plan. The dangers with a saved flight plan are if the NavData changes, such as the example here when an airport changes runway configuration, then one will encounter errors when the flight plan is loaded.FYI: I don't save flight plans with dep/arr runways because they can and usually do change based on current weather conditions.