Hi,Im using FS9 in the 800. What system settings should I use to get the best climb set to FL340?I was trying level change but that sometimes can lead to erroneous rates of climb?I set rate of climb to about 2000 perminute, that works fine until reaching around FL280 thenthe airspeed bleeds down too much, and at 150 or lower well its just not safe and I find Im havingto disconnect autopilot and fly manually with a VERY slow rate of climb to reach FL340 or higher?As PMDG is a first class software set Im thinking perhaps my method is flawed, and Id be greatfulif you see obvious errors in my method and if so please reply.Regards,Berne

Hi,Im using FS9 in the 800. What system settings should I use to get the best climb set to FL340?I was trying level change but that sometimes can lead to erroneous rates of climb?I set rate of climb to about 2000 perminute, that works fine until reaching around FL280 thenthe airspeed bleeds down too much, and at 150 or lower well its just not safe and I find Im havingto disconnect autopilot and fly manually with a VERY slow rate of climb to reach FL340 or higher?As PMDG is a first class software set Im thinking perhaps my method is flawed, and Id be greatfulif you see obvious errors in my method and if so please reply.Regards,Berne

Hi Berne,As you know, climb rate decreases with altitude (because of lower air density among other things). And of course a full load (fuel, passengers and cargo) will adversely affect your climb rate as well - hence the need for step climbs on fully loaded machines (ie you can't reach your final cruise altitude until you have burned off enough fuel).I don't have precise figures for the -800 but I remember an Airbus pilot told me the climb rate for the A320 family can be as high as 6000 ft/mn for a lightly loaded A318 (at low altitude) and as low as a few hundred ft/mn for a fully loaded A321 at top of climb. I am sure rw 737 pilots can help you with rw figures for the -800.In the mean time, one thing you could do is compare the climb performance of your -800 with climbs in VNAV mode : first, a climb to, say FL350 with a light load and then (still in VNAV), the same for a fully loaded machine. Just monitor vertical speed and you'll be all set. You can use the PMDG load manager to make sure that you haven't exceeded the weight limit in the first place.Hope this helps,Bruno

Out of 3000 feet, you should be in VNAV. The only reason I've seen to not be in VNAV is for small climbs (1-2000 feet) or for low-level level offs. VNAV will aggressively climb and if you've only got a short ways to go, it isn't very smooth.You don't want to climb in the V/S mode, because the engines won't be operating at the best climb settings and you'll be wasting fuel by not climbing as fast as possible.Have fun.

Hi Spin737,VAV does seem to be working good, but LVL CNG has its moments.Thank you,Berne

Hi Spin737,VAV does seem to be working good, but LVL CNG has its moments.Thank you,Berne

I use LVL CHG in descents quite often. Rarely in a climb.Cheers