737NG - Diverting to Alternate

[GAJ52]

I was unable to land the other day due fog at my destination airfield. My efforts to navigate to a suitable alternate were not what I would call very professional. Carrying out a search on this forum under the heading 'Divert' produced a couple of posts way back at the begining of 2004, stating the current version of 737NG has no facility in the FMS for diverting. Has this now been updated with the introduction of the 800/900 update.If not, what is the best method of setting up the FMS for a diversion to an alternate airfield.Many thanksGlen Coyne

[zubart]

>I was unable to land the other day due fog at my destination>airfield. My efforts to navigate to a suitable alternate were>not what I would call very professional. Carrying out a>search on this forum under the heading 'Divert' produced a>couple of posts way back at the begining of 2004, stating the>current version of 737NG has no facility in the FMS for>diverting. Has this now been updated with the introduction of>the 800/900 update.>>If not, what is the best method of setting up the FMS for a>diversion to an alternate airfield.>>Many thanks>>Glen CoyneGlen,Although, the PMDG 737 is an excellent and superior add-on aircraft, Diverting after a MAP using the FMC's VNAV mode is just not reliable.To Divert:Use the word "RAPE"R - Select the new destination and route using RTE, RTE LEGS and ARRIVALS page's.A - If the CRZ page is still available in the FMC insert the new CRZ ALT.P - Dial in the new cruise altitude in the pressurization panel on the overhead panel.E - Check ETA and fuel remaining at new destination on PROGRESS pageIn the real NG, the FMC CRZ page is always available no matter what phase of flight the airplane is in. It is a blank page that says CRZ and has data blocks to insert new CRZ ALT data. Always usable.Unfortunately the PMDG's FMC CRZ page disappears after the airplane begins a descent. Sometimes after a MAP the CRZ page will be there but will soon disappear again. If it doesn't disappear for some reason and you use VNAV mode it may not function properly. The only way to work around this is to use the MCP and not try to use VNAV when you divert to a new destination.Floyd