The subject line might be worded poorly.  I simply meant that on the 737, the aircraft would follow the speeds set into the FMC on approach.  Now, in the 777, it puts in that purely "placeholder" speed of 170 knots over the threshold, and requires the pilot to intervene via the MCP to set speeds as the plane slows for landing.  The old system seemed much more automated; this seems kind of a step backward.  I'm sure PMDG modeled it perfectly, but does anyone know why Boeing chose to do it that way?

 

Joe Legander

I want know about this too !!!

I thought something was wrong when I had to move the throttles back on descent to maintain speed and they actually moved back without protest. And then when the speed when under what I'd bugged and had to push them forward.

 

I thought the tutorial kind of didn't make the point clear enough that even with the auto throttle, you need the adjust the power....or am I doing something wrong?

You don't need to adjust the power! What you need to do is adjust the MCP speed settings to match the VREF+x (FCTM recommends +5) for landing. 

 

However…

 

During descent, when A/T enters HOLD, your manual throttle position WILL override A/T (can be disabled in PMDG setup in FMC). What you need to do is prior to descent move physical throttles to IDLE detent. If you leave them in the position where you left them after using TO/GA during takeoff, you'd be attempting 300 kts landing, which is bound to be entertaining.

This was discussed in a previous thread but I am not in a position to locate right now. I believe that the NG systems are actually a newer generation then the 777, hence the differences.

Wow, that's interesting!  I stupidly assumed that since 777 was a higher number than 737, and came out later, it meant newer or more advanced.  But obviously, thinking it through, the 737 has had many upgrades, including the NG, and hence it might make sense that some of it's capacities (HUD, etc.) would be more advanced as well.

 

Thanks!

 

Joe Legander