sorry for maybe a stupid question.

 

i have the 777-200 and 300 installed from about 6 months ago.

 

when i open the operations centre program it tells me theres an update required for both and says I need to login and download and reinstall.

 

Im sure im upto date, can you advise how I can tell how to check which version I have and can i not just download the patch ??

 

Also can someone briefly explain to me the step climb option in the fmc.  I got it turned on so im guessing if my final altitude is fl390 I put that into the init page etc etc and then say select 310, or 330 in the a/p  and then it will climb to 390 when ready reguardless of if i have 330 punched into the a/p ??

 

sorry for 2 silly questions not flown it for a while... thanks again

If the operations centre says there is an update available then you do not have the latest version. The latest version does not come as a patch and must be redownloaded from your PMDG account in full. You do not have to uninstall then reinstall but can run the new installer over the existing installation, however it is recommended you install fresh.

 

For the step climbs, I believe this is how it works (I am no 777 pilot):

 

-You enter your cruising altitude as the initial altitude e.g. FL310.

-The FMC will then (once you're up and flying) calculate the point on the route where it is the optimum to climb to the next step e.g. FL330. At this point (a green dot with S/C on the ND), the FMC Progress/VNAV page will say STEP NOW. You reset the MCP altitude to FL330 and climb.

-The FMC will then calculate the next step point along the route to FL350, you do the same at this point as above.

-This will continue until reaching the next step is not possible, at which point it will say UNABLE. 

-You don't have to step climb, you can remain at your initial altitude the entire flight, just don't change the MCP altitude.

 

Hope this clears it up for you.

Thanks Chris I'll do the update

 

I'm sure I read ages ago you can set it up to step climb itself, Ie take off climb to 330, go to bed, get up 8 hours later and its climbed automatically without user input

Thanks Chris I'll do the update

 

I'm sure I read ages ago you can set it up to step climb itself, Ie take off climb to 330, go to bed, get up 8 hours later and its climbed automatically without user input

 

Correct, thats the Auto - Stepclimb feature in the PMDG777.... 

 

however, you just fly as you would normally - let say FL320 - and activate Auto Step Climb Feature in the FMC - the aircraft will then, at the calculated step climb points conduct the step climb. (Incl. the adjustment in the MCP). So you just go out and fly normally - once you get tired - you activate auto step climb - nothing else required - and go to bed ;-)

 

Have a good night!

Cheers it's the auto step climb I'm interested in. So basically put 390 into the fmc as the cruise alt, then put in 330 into the a/p as the initial alt and then it will climb itself when ready to 390?

No, just put initial altitude into MCP and FMC as cruise altitude and the 777 will handle the rest. So FL330 into Autopilot window and the FMC cruise altitude box. 

thanks chris topic can be closed.