I fly the PMDG 737 NGX. Today I flew from Panama City to Montego Bay(Jamaica). When I got to top of descent point, I didn't know what altitude to put down so it can start descending. How do I know what altitude to put down? Also, what is my BIGGEST problem on this, is when I choose the approach on the apr page, it doesn't connect the route to the approach so it is both seperate on the panel? Wierd eh? Don't i need a transition point so it can connect the plan together? 

 

When I choose my apr during cruising altitude, how do I know what my glide slope should be? 

This stuff is really complicated :( I need someone to explain this, am getting frustrated. >:(

I fly the PMDG 737 NGX. Today I flew from Panama City to Montego Bay(Jamaica). When I got to top of descent point, I didn't know what altitude to put down so it can start descending. How do I know what altitude to put down? Also, what is my BIGGEST problem on this, is when I choose the approach on the apr page, it doesn't connect the route to the approach so it is both seperate on the panel? Wierd eh? Don't i need a transition point so it can connect the plan together? 

 

When I choose my apr during cruising altitude, how do I know what my glide slope should be? 

 

This stuff is really complicated :( I need someone to explain this, am getting frustrated. > :(

Hi ?  You really need to sign your name as per forum rules...

 

When you first got the PMDG 737 NGX, did you not do the two tutorials that came with the aircraft? This would show you how to program the FMC from departure to landing, including using a SID/STAR and the eventual approach, transition, and ILS plate... which has all the details you mention.

 

Both tutorials are very good, especially the second tutorial into LOWI. See Frooglesim... e.g...

 

or sign up to Angle of attack 737NGX training. You may also need to sign up with Navigraph for updates of the navigation fixes etc.

 

Best of luck. This type of a/c needs lots of study.. 

Sounds like you are missing two key steps:

 

1 - Program the complete flight plan in your FMC. Join the last enroute waypoint to the first waypoint in the approach plan (STAR). Sometimes this happens automatically if the last enroute waypoint just happens to be the first waypoint in the STAR that you are using. Most of the time, at least in my experience, you have to manually join the two. 

 

2 - When closing in on ToD you should be well into your descent preparation which includes lowering the altitude setting in your MCP. For simplicity sake you can choose the final approach altitude in the MCP and make your life easier until you better understand STAR plates or use your FMC altitudes as your reference. Just be aware that some of the altitudes require you to be above a certain altitude or below.

 

I think if you pass the ToD and have not changed the MCP altitude from your cruising altitude you might have to press the alt intervene button. My memory is a bit foggy as I have switched to P3D months ago and am wistfully awaiting progress from PMDG.

 

HTH