Nose sticks up 3-5 degrees on glideslope.

[Guest Wannabe-Pilot]

Hello all, I'm having a problem (I think) with the PMDG 737-700. When I'm on the glideslope the nose of the airplane is always sticking up 3-5 degrees in order to remain on the slope. I am guessing this is not normal. My fuel is 100 (In the left wing I guess), 3.5 in the center and 100 in the right. There's no wind that could interfere and the VREF is usually around 132 and I always add 5knots to that.Any help would be greatly appreciated!Tim

[markadeane 272]

Tim, I'm not sure that 3-5 degrees nose up is a problem actually. One of our resident PMDG 737NG drivers could confirm this, but I don't think it's unusual. You certainly should NOT have a nose DOWN pitch, at a very minimum I'd expect the nose to be on the horizon or greater. What flap settings are you using? I presume your speedbrake is fully stowed (but armed) as well.Chrs. Mark

[Guest Wannabe-Pilot]

Thank you for your help, Mark. I am glad to hear that this is probably not unusual. I always use flaps 30 and yes, the speedbrake is stowed and armed.Tim

[Tabs 2,790]

There are very very few airliners that will have a nose down attitude on approach. The only large ones I know of that even come close are the 777 and DC-10 (not sure if this carried through to the MD-11). Some of the commuter props and RJ's have it as well. It's definitely normal for a 737 to be nose up though.

[Guest mia]

Yeah! 3 or 4 dregrees nose Up is totally normal, notice if you select Flaps 40 you

[downscc 1,327]

Santiago was the first to point out that angle of attack is the key. Lift varies as a function of AoA and airspeed, not pitch (although pitch is our primary handle to control AoA). I remember watching B-52s climb out with what looked like nose down attitude! They almost looked like they were flying tail up. There's plently of good source for learning more about flight dynamics: Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying by Wolfgang Langewiesche is the original.

[Guest]

You'll find often that airliners with leading edge slats tend to have level or higher approach attitudes than aircraft without slats.

[Guest Wannabe-Pilot]

Thanks for your help everyone! Am I correct that the standard landing flaps for the NG is 30?Tim

[Mats_J 2]

Tim,30 would be the mostly used flaps setting for the NG, yes. Light and/or long/uncontaminated runway you might wanna go with 25. Heavy and/or short/contaminated runway and/or any other reason you'd want slow approach/landing speed and short landing distance you'd go with 40. Oh, and engine out calls for flaps 15 if my memory serves me right.Hope it helps,