hi there, Can anyone help me. so far ive been using the type rate course lessons to help me understand the pmdg 747-400 fmc. The question i have is? In the cost index how or where do i get the information for the figures to put into this part of the fmc. Ive been ok up to now but i want to start my own route plans and i have know idea how you calculate the cost index figure any ideas please?

I would start by reading this:http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagaz...07_article5.pdfBrianKPAE

Yo,Great document there.If it helps I use a cost index between 60 and 90. I know at BAV we have some cost index's that have a CI of 0 in the climb but will go to 60 once cruising. Best thing I can recommend is to try one at 9999 and one at 0 (don't have to be too long) so you can see what difference there is between the two extremes.CheersTim

The 747's FMC woulnt let you go to 9999. I think the highest is 250.A CI of 80-100 will operate at normal speeds at given altitudes.There isint that much difference between a CI of 150 to 250 being that VNAV and the FMC will not operate the plane pass its limits.Most of the time CI is based on SOP's ( standard operating procedures ) for airliners. One of the VA's I fly for wants a CI of 20. The other is 40. If im not flying a company route Ill use a CI of 80.

From a couple of QF 744 flight plans I have, they seem to use 100, although I'm fairly sure they explained it was pretty variable. From an ancient (i.e. about 8 years ago) article I read about a BA 744 flight, they used 90.

Flight plan and cruise at 90, then when the before take off checks are done I enter 0 for the climb, returning to 90 for the cruise.There are other options, but that works for me.Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png| XP Pro SP3 with FS-GS System Unification | 2 x APC UPS | Coolermaster Stacker 830 SE | Asus P5E-Deluxe (X48) | e8500 @ 4gHz | Tuniq Tower 120 | EVGA 8800GT 512MB | Sony 40" Bravia XBR | 2 x 1 GB Corsair XMS2 | 500GB Seagate Barracuda 32MB SATA2 | Corsair HX620W PS | CH Products Yoke-Pedals-Throttle Quadrant | Aerosoft 747MCP-EFIS-EICAS |

I normally run 90 unless I have a compelling reason not to.I spotted one time over in Dave's blog http://flightlevel390.blogspot.com/ that in order to avoid using their reserve fuel which now counts as an emergency situation (complete with emergency size stacks of paperwork) they changed the cost index on their FMC to 0 and gained enough pounds landing fuel to avoid the inquisition :-) I guess that counts as a compelling reason.CheersGary