Hello Everyone!

So I have been flipping through the pages of the documents that came along with my PMDG 737NGX. And no where (that I can find) that tells me how to determine my cruiz altitude. Is there a proper equation to calculate the realistic alt? Usually what I do is stay above FL20 (I fly across states) usually FL250-FL270.

So if anyone has any tips/tricks to how to get that information, that would be great!

 

-Thanks

Valley.

If the routes you fly are available on FlightAware, I'd say just use that. Other than that, as I don't own the 737, I don't know what the documentation is like. I have the documentation for the 747-400, but that probably doesn't help. On that one, it just gives a cruise altitude and what optimum weight you would have to be to fly at that altitude. So if you have a general idea what your trip fuel is going to be, you can figure it out there. But like I said, I don't know if the 737 documentation has the same charts.

Use trip alt from PERF INIT page.

Use trip alt from PERF INIT page.

Thats what i use although it does throw up some extremely high FL'S for very short flights

Thats what i use although it does throw up some extremely high FL'S for very short flights

According to FPPM tables for short trip cruise altitude, NGX calculates it very precisely.

According to FPPM tables for short trip cruise altitude, NGX calculates it very precisely.

yep figured it knows best 

Thank you guys, I will use the PERF page for now on, and make adjustments if I need to.

But as Zoran said, it calculated high FL's, would that be acceptable on servers? i.e. VatSim.

But what about small planes with out FMC's?

Hi,

 

if you have entered the fuel load, pax load, cargo weight and have followed the correct flow for programming the FMC, then the FMC will give you an optimal height from a technical / economical perspective. As said before by others in this topic, you can also look at real world routes. Even though the technical optimum is for example FL300, the route prescribes a max of FL200 (e.g.)

 

Also, you should also take into consideration that eastbound you need odd levels (FL330, FL350 etc), westbound you need even levels (FL340, FL360). 

The FMC will give you a warning if you enter a too high FL, but does not take into consideration East/West. 

 

Furthermore, as far as I know there are no FL-maximums on Vatsim. If there is a max, it definitely cannot be reached by the NGX.

 

Kind regards

Alex

Isn't it FL600, anything above that is uncontrolled...I neednto get back in the regs, I think I've forgotten more than I...lol

But what about small planes with out FMC's?

Pressurized or not. Turbo prop, jet or piston. Direction of flight. Many variables. An FMC reallydoesnt determine proper FL. Airframe does.

Thank you so much Alex. I will start flying with those "rules".

I read a while back that being below the optimum for short flights isn't critical. Something like 50 pounds total increased fuel burn by being 4000 feet low.

 

You might want to fly a bit lower for rides or just to give you some cruise time. Short flights can get a little screwy if you change the triggers for checklists (eg doing a descent check before you've leveled off).

Anyone know where I can get SID/STAR charts for the US?

Anyone know where I can get SID/STAR charts for the US?

Airnav.com.