I have the basics of the FMC figured out now thank you all, but can't seem to see why the lil' green indicator of what flight phase I am in never changes to DESCENT. It's always TO, then CLB, then CRZ, but never DES. I am able to use VNAV correctly now and the flights behave as one would expect but again not sure what's up. Noel

"but can't seem to see why the lil' green indicator of what flight phase I am in never changes to DESCENT. It's always TO, then CLB, then CRZ, but never DES."Hmmm... maybe because there isn't such a thing (even on the real aircraft) ;) The indication shows the thrust limit for a particular phase of flight. The A/T can still use cruise thrust if required during descent, say if you need the aircraft to level off at an intermediate altitude. Having the thrust go below this might be a bit risky.Hope this helpsCheers.Q>

Have you went to your dep/arrivals page and setup a course for landing?Selecting the runway ect?I'm only shooting angels here too, I just bought the 747 last night from PMDG and this is a totally different bird to catch!

To expand on what Q said, there really isn't a need for a DES thrust limit. When you decent, your engines shouldn't be at full thrust at all. This is basically what the thrust limit is for; limiting your max thrust.As for -BeNt-. Please sign your real name. It's a requirement in the Forum Rules posted above. As for you comments on the 744, I've been flying it for over a year and I'm still learning! Have fun! (And good luck. You'll need it!) :)Ryan GamurotLucky to live Hawai'ihttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/supporter.jpg

Will answer when you sign your post. This is a MAJOR aircraft as far as system's go, so at the very least, do the tutorial!Steve Park

>"but can't seem to see why the lil' green indicator of what>flight phase I am in never changes to DESCENT. It's always TO,>then CLB, then CRZ, but never DES.">>Hmmm... maybe because there isn't such a thing (even on the>real aircraft) ;) >>The indication shows the thrust limit for a particular phase>of flight. The A/T can still use cruise thrust if required>during descent, say if you need the aircraft to level off at>an intermediate altitude. Having the thrust go below this>might be a bit risky.>>Hope this helps>Cheers.>Q>Yes Q if definitely helps. The lil green indicator is the thrust limit operating at that moment versus the "phase of flight" which I assumed it was. I have done much but not all of a few tutorials, and I think the big piece left is in using approach plates to decide what SID/STAR should be set up. I do enjoy the canned ATC though and I just last night discovered FSBuild which I just bought will export simultaneously to both the 737NG and FS2004 so I should be able to have fairly functional ATC with a few tricks to divert their attn so they don't notice I'm not following their clearance to different fligh levels. Don't want to go in deep with Radar Contact so I will probably just enjoy what I can with this now. I doubt I will ever become a RL pilot but this sure keeps me happy even at the simplistic level I play with now. It's a real hoot!Thanks to all for their time and insights,NThanks . . .