The idle is not his fault, as the idle cannot be managed by pilots, it is an "engine choice" related to aircrft configuration (ground, air,approach)

I find using VNAV for descent in the NGX a waste of time, ending only in frustration. Maybe I too have the Idle Issue.What's the Idle Issue?

When in descent, in a clean configuration (no flaps, no gears) you have more tha 38% of N1 at idle. Search it on the forum, there are a lot of post related to it.And it seems to be related only with VNAV as in LVL CHG some find less N1.

How do you fix it then?

My problem was fixed in SP1, I had in HF4, but, some experienced it after SP1, SP1b solved for others, but just thinking that not solved for all.PMDG staff found that people using customized gear extension/retraction command suffers of that problem, a temporary fix is to use G for gear extension/retraction.

I do use G for gear. In fact now I think about this I do notice the engine seems to be running a bit high on the descent. Wonder why that is. Hmmmm.

The CI is a parameter that shouldn't lead to performances beyond limits even if set to 100.The high idle level of the N1 seems to be the smoking gun here.

Yes especially as I don't use CI above 40.

Same for me. I'm using CI of about 25, got all wind predictions fed, vnav programmed correctly. For initial descent it's all fine, but at around 15000ft calculated vnav path is starting to dive rapidly and plane can't catch up without speedbrakes. Even then sometimes i cant bleed off speed and have to go around. Strange, need to look closely at idle problem. I've heard about it before but my N1 is below 40% at the beginning and 35-37% at the end of descent.Okay, one more question, preferrably for RW pilots. Some STARs got speed restriction of 220KIAS. With that speed at around 5000ft and clean config I'm able to descend at 400-500fpm. Is that how the real thing does?

I've heard about it before but my N1 is below 40% at the beginning and 35-37% at the end of descent.Okay, one more question, preferrably for RW pilots. Some STARs got speed restriction of 220KIAS. With that speed at around 5000ft and clean config I'm able to descend at 400-500fpm. Is that how the real thing does?

If you're slowing to 220KIAS, the plane will shallow out, but once it's established, you should be doing over 1000fpm still if you're at idle. At 5000ft, you should be seeing 30% N₁ or so.

If you're slowing to 220KIAS, the plane will shallow out, but once it's established, you should be doing over 1000fpm still if you're at idle. At 5000ft, you should be seeing 30% N₁ or so.

There's no way I can achieve around 1000fpm (not to mention more than that) when established on descent with 220KIAS. With speedbrakes I got around 800-900fpm. Thrust is idle, cant remind exact N1, but its around 35%.

There's no way I can achieve around 1000fpm (not to mention more than that) when established on descent with 220KIAS. With speedbrakes I got around 800-900fpm. Thrust is idle, cant remind exact N1, but its around 35%.

Yep, the idle thrust is your problem. You should be able to do around 1400fpm at 220kts with the speedbrake.

Hmm, it seems that´s an bug or something else. Maybe I just shut down the auto throttle on approach and go into idle manually.Btw. where do I get the proper weather information? I never programmed any weather predicion in the FMC.

My idle is about 38 - 41% when in VNAV. When I need a little less, I disconnect the autothrottle and "goose" the throttles a little. Afterwards, they will come down to 25 -22%. When my speed and descent is back to normal, I re-engage the autothrottle and VNAV.

My idle is about 38 - 41% when in VNAV. When I need a little less, I disconnect the autothrottle and "goose" the throttles a little. Afterwards, they will come down to 25 -22%. When my speed and descent is back to normal, I re-engage the autothrottle and VNAV.

Idle should be idle whether you're in VNAV, LVL CHG, or manual flight.22% sounds pretty low for in flight. I imagine you're defeating PMDG's coding for the PMC's variable idle speeds.