OK, I'm still working the tutorial and now referencing the manual as I seemed to have finally stopped blowing-up engines during each phase of flight. :( I am now trying to refine my steps through the descent and approach phase and still having a bit of a hard time. I now have better handle on ALT, ALTSEL, and ALT CAP and while flying cruise of 16K with 96%, AP, Nav, & ALT all green, and the SID points programmed with their respective altitudes in the FMS, as per the tutorial, I then set my ALT target to the first lower waypoint (8000), I punch ALT SEL and it becomes 'Arm'. On the EADI, I now see both ALT (Green) and ASL (White) as well as my new target 8000. As I approach the TOD, as indicated on the FMS, nothing happens. I don't understand the logic behind the TOD on this bird. What am I missing, other than punching the v/s or IAS button and starting her down on my own? Is TOD for reference only and the ALTSEL ignores TOD?Also, for some reason, after passing Mosby, with the Nav button still in 'Cap' and the Appr button 'Arm', I am still not picking up the glideslope. Any thoughts?BTW, I haven't researched it yet, but I installed the JS-41 without the terminal procedures checked in the installer, but the FMS still indicates #####-0709. I already had the Navigraph 0909 set installed and expected to see this in the FMS. Did the JS-41 installer ignore my un-checked box?

From the tutorial pdf, page 86:

Press ALT on the Flight Director to activate Altitude Select mode, then press IAS. The IAS will be displayed on the lower right of your screen in cyan. SLOWLY begin creeping the power levers back just a little bit at a time and the airplane will begin to descend at your current airspeed.

Auto pilot is still on - it will keep adjusting the pitch of the plane to keep the IAS as you manually adjust power to control the VS.There is no true VNAV in this plane. (or autothrust)Steven Letcher

From the tutorial pdf, page 86:There is no true VNAV in this plane.

Understand that, but why do I get a white ASL on the EADI with a lower altitude set and the ALTSEL button can become 'Arm'. It seems that if I bring the power back it should switch over to IAS or v/s at the TOD. I just need to confirm that the TOD has no functional link to the FCC.

TOD is for informational purposes only. Has no effect / control on any system.The ASL in white is because it is "in line" to become active (green) once you have got her to that altitude. Steven Letcher

Understand that, but why do I get a white ASL on the EADI with a lower altitude set and the ALTSEL button can become 'Arm'. It seems that if I bring the power back it should switch over to IAS or v/s at the TOD. I just need to confirm that the TOD has no functional link to the FCC.

The TOD indication is advisory ONLY !!The FMS is NOT connected to the automatic flight system's pitch mode. You have to manage climb/descend/hold altitude alone.VangelisPS. Standard descend : Vmo/Mmo (or close to that) and -1600 fpm VS.

OK, OK; no VNAV, TOD is for ref only... LOL... I leave it at that... thanks guys... :(

Understand that, but why do I get a white ASL on the EADI with a lower altitude set and the ALTSEL button can become 'Arm'. It seems that if I bring the power back it should switch over to IAS or v/s at the TOD. I just need to confirm that the TOD has no functional link to the FCC.

Al,As the other mentioned, VNAV is advisory only. With respect to the FMA indications you're seeing, the white ASL simply indicates that you've ARMED the FD to capture the selected altitude. There's an additional step required, either press IAS and then reduce power to start down, or select VS and roll the AP Pitch wheel forward to command a constant VS descent, and control speed with the power levers.Just know that to change altitudes, you should always "Set it. Arm it. Do it." That is: Set the new altitude, arm ALTSEL, then select VS or IAS.An interesting J41 "Gotcha": You can start down (or up) without ever arming ALTSEL. The FD/AP will happily oblige. Just don't expect it stop at your preselected altitude.Also, if you use FSX's ATC, it has a tendancy to give you your next altitude assignment just as you're leveling off from the previous one. Be VERY careful here. If the FMA shows a flashing or steady green ASL, an you touch the altitude preselector OR the AP Pitch wheel, the altitude capture mode will be cancelled, and you will fly right through the selected altitude.Too much information?Nick

Al,As the other mentioned, VNAV is advisory only. With respect to the FMA indications you're seeing, the white ASL simply indicates that you've ARMED the FD to capture the selected altitude. There's an additional step required, either press IAS and then reduce power to start down, or select VS and roll the AP Pitch wheel forward to command a constant VS descent, and control speed with the power levers.Just know that to change altitudes, you should always "Set it. Arm it. Do it." That is: Set the new altitude, arm ALTSEL, then select VS or IAS.An interesting J41 "Gotcha": You can start down (or up) without ever arming ALTSEL. The FD/AP will happily oblige. Just don't expect it stop at your preselected altitude.Also, if you use FSX's ATC, it has a tendancy to give you your next altitude assignment just as you're leveling off from the previous one. Be VERY careful here. If the FMA shows a flashing or steady green ASL, an you touch the altitude preselector OR the AP Pitch wheel, the altitude capture mode will be cancelled, and you will fly right through the selected altitude.Too much information?Nick

Nope, very good info and thumbrule.What about the transition from LNAV to ILS on final? Nav is Cap and Appr is armed but it doesn't seem to pickup the beacon. As in the tutorial for 01R level at 3000 ft at the IAF, CRS is set to 011 and the NAV1 radio is tuned to 110.10. Is there anything wrong with transitioning directly form LNAV to ILS?

Nope, very good info and thumbrule.What about the transition from LNAV to ILS on final? Nav is Cap and Appr is armed but it doesn't seem to pickup the beacon. As in the tutorial for 01R level at 3000 ft at the IAF, CRS is set to 011 and the NAV1 radio is tuned to 110.10. Is there anything wrong with transitioning directly form LNAV to ILS?

Al,Transition to V/L from LNAV should occur automatically with APR armed. Once you're setup on an intercept course to the localizer, try pressing NAV again, so that both the ARM and CAP lights are illuminated on the FD panel. If the AP turns to intercept the LOC, then we know that the ILS freq is tuned correctly, and that FSX hasn't decided to activate the transmitter for 19L instead (they share a common frequency).Obviously, doing it this way the AP won't start down the GS until you press APR.If the transition works in NAV but not in APR, let us know, and I'll bug it.Regards,Nick