Is there a way to have the Pause At TOD say 50 miles before FMC calculated point.

This would give more time to plan descent.

Thanks

Paul Burley

I believe no....often you don't have T/D unless you create STAR (in some cases, let's say KPHX) therefore you have to have that a bit earlier. If T/D, as far as I know is not displayed, Aircraft will continue current heading anyway so you have to prepare before last way-point......

This horse has been kicked pretty hard in the last couple weeks.  On long trips, I like to look ahead at about 1000 nm before destination and decide then the most likely arrival routing, and I scan the STAR chart to make sure than any expect altitude constraints are added to LEGS segments. Sometimes it's not going to change regardless of wind direction, and even if it does I've already reviewed the options and changes are easier.  Then about 100 nm before TOD I'll start doing my pre-descent flows getting a weather check, set up for the descent, etc.; and then I turn off the TOD pause and finish the flight without the TOD/-10 pause.  However, if I'm away from the workstation and find it paused at TOD/-10 I still have plenty of time to set up the arrival and approach.  Worst case scenario is I find that a change in STAR or missing altitude constraints are going to require the pilot to intervene but it's not a problem.

 

You might have to use this little software

http://www.fspause.com/

Certainly made me pause when I saw the price.