I just did another flight and it worked out pretty good. I used max T.O. power for both flights because that is supposed to get the best fuel efficiency in real life. All the derates do is reduce engine stress and wear but I don't worry about that in the sim.I messed with the cost indexes all the way down to 0 but it wouldn't go as slow as 300/.80. I think 312/.83 was the lowest. I forgot to check cruise but if it was only .84 it would have been slower, probably the same .83 as climb.I fly the 737-800 only. We used to use 60 all the time. Then fuel started to get expensinve and we started using 45. Now they have upgraded the software so when we uplink the performance data it will load what ever cost index the dispatcher has deemed appropriate. It is not uncommon to see 6 but we have to modify the descent speeds because it will command 250 kts from way up high. ATC is asking for a standard 290 now so we just set that. I can't remember for sure but I think is saw a 90 cost index once.I am enjoying the 747 much more now that I have gotten the fuel figured out. Now all I need them to do is patch VNAV for the Passenger version. I guess the 747F version fixes my problem but I don't have that.

>I just did another flight and it worked out pretty good. I>used max T.O. power for both flights because that is supposed>to get the best fuel efficiency in real life. All the derates>do is reduce engine stress and wear but I don't worry about>that in the sim.>Well your right regarding the sim's engines!How about your computer?The processor works a lot harder when you use max TO power and climb-1.Give your machine a break.:))

Actually I like to use the derates to be more realistic but I don't know what to set. I have a good set of tables for my 767 but I haven't found any yet for the 747. At work the load planner just plugs the numbers into the computer and it spits our the derate and assuemd temp if it can be used.