Let's say I'm cruising at FL360 and at a certain waypoint along my route I want to climb to FL370, is there any way I can make this happen without my intervention by pre-programming it into the FMC?

 

I tried going to the LEGS page and then enter /370 trying to upload it to a waypoint further ahead but the FMC gave me an 'Invalid entry' error.

As far as I know it is not possilbe by pre programming the FMC, but you can put 370 in the cruise alt box of the cruise page, then roll the MCP alt to 37000 hit Alt Intv and off you go.

Yes, that is how I normally do it but problem with this method is you need to actually be there doing it when you reach this specific waypoint. IRL this of course isn't a problem since you're (hopefully :wink:) is by the controls all the time but in the simulated world sometimes when you're on a long flight and there's no ATC online it would be nice to have this happen automatically if possible somehow.

 

Never used the STEP feature on the CRZ page in the FMC, wonder if that could be the answer to this? Will have to do some RTFM I guess :wink:

I know doing /370S or /S370 would work on a 747 or so, not sure on the 737.

 

Try this: set /360 as a hard limitation on the waypoint before climbing, then set cruise level to 370 in the box. Dial 370 in MCP.

Try this: set /360 as a hard limitation on the waypoint before climbing, then set cruise level to 370 in the box. Dial 370 in MCP.

 

Good idea, not quite SOP but close enough!

 

Never used the STEP feature on the CRZ page in the FMC, wonder if that could be the answer to this? Will have to do some RTFM I guess :wink:

 

I think the STEP function only calcuates the optimum step point, and displays a circle on the route with S/C next to it, it doesn't actually do the step for you.

I know doing /370S or /S370 would work on a 747 or so, not sure on the 737.

 

Try this: set /360 as a hard limitation on the waypoint before climbing, then set cruise level to 370 in the box. Dial 370 in MCP.

 

Not the most flexible way doing it especially on a long route with lots of LEGS pages but maybe the only way then, thanks for the tip!

 

Tried the /370S and /S370 but neither one worked but gave the 'Invalid entry' reply from the FMC.

 

I think the STEP function only calcuates the optimum step point, and displays a circle on the route with S/C next to it, it doesn't actually do the step for you.

 

The, that has been my understanding as well without reading the manual yet.

 

Try this: set /360 as a hard limitation on the waypoint before climbing, then set cruise level to 370 in the box. Dial 370 in MCP.

 

Another thing that just struck me regarding this method is I guess the a/c would then initiate the climb to F370 directly after passing the last waypoint with a hard restriction of F360 and if there's a rather big distance between the waypoints that could mean you started climbing to F370 well in advance of when you actually wanted to do the step climb to F370 or am I thinking wrong?

 

Will do some experimenting with this on coming flights and see what happens :smile:

The, that has been my understanding as well without reading the manual yet.

 

Have you done the tutoirals? Don't cover this issue, but it teaches you heaps about the systems.

 

Not the most flexible way doing it especially on a long route with lots of LEGS pages but maybe the only way then, thanks for the tip!

 

If you put /360 in the final waypoint before you want to S/C, it will enforce the restriction on all the waypoints before it.

well, yes. You could always make a -5 miles waypoint along the route though.

well, yes. You could always make a -5 miles waypoint along the route though.

 

I'm not quite sure what you mean there, could you clarify?

 

Have you done the tutoirals? Don't cover this issue, but it teaches you heaps about the systems.

 

 

 

If you put /360 in the final waypoint before you want to S/C, it will enforce the restriction on all the waypoints before it.

 

That's great and also pretty obvious when I think about it, looking forward to try this out!

 

 

I'm not quite sure what you mean there, could you clarify?

 

I believe he's talking about making a custom waypoint, sounds like a great idea and will try that too.

 

Thanks guys for all great input!

That's great and also pretty obvious when I think about it, looking forward to try this out!

 

No problem, let us know how you get on with it. I think creating a custom waypoint at the step climb point is a brilliant idea to have the S/C at exactly the optimum point.

Doing a WAYPT/-5 entry should make a waypoint on your track 5 miles before WAYPT.

Enter it as F370 and not /370

Let's say I'm cruising at FL360 and at a certain waypoint along my route I want to climb to FL370, is there any way I can make this happen without my intervention by pre-programming it into the FMC?

 

I tried going to the LEGS page and then enter /370 trying to upload it to a waypoint further ahead but the FMC gave me an 'Invalid entry' error.

Short answer is no. The closest is to set the new CRZ alt in the MCP, then press ALT INTV, that will update the FMC automatically.

Set the new CRZ alt in the MCP, then press ALT INTV, that will update the FMC automatically.

 

He's talking about setting the plane up to automatically step climb because he's not going to be there...