January 21, 20251 yr 16 hours ago, rlashier said: True. I have always followed the advice of Mike Ray’s (UAL Pilot) A320 training manual to push in the altitude knob and begin the descent at about 10 nautical miles from the TOD, as this would allow descent to begin more gently and eliminate the possibility of overshooting TOD. Has always worked like a charm until recently. Now I’m not sure if this advice holds anymore in the Fenix. this airbus debate has been around for the 25 years ive been in aviation. some say 10 miles, some say 7.5, some say at zero.
January 21, 20251 yr Author Thanks to all those who offered their suggestions here. I will try the KBOS arrival again and hold off on setting the altitude knob until closer to the destination airport. If this is indeed the behavior of the real aircraft as Aamir has indicated, then I should adjust my piloting approach. In this respect, it would be nice to know what is the specified distance from the destination runway at which one can reliably commence a managed descent. Thanks, Rich
January 21, 20251 yr 45 minutes ago, rlashier said: Thanks to all those who offered their suggestions here. I will try the KBOS arrival again and hold off on setting the altitude knob until closer to the destination airport. If this is indeed the behavior of the real aircraft as Aamir has indicated, then I should adjust my piloting approach. In this respect, it would be nice to know what is the specified distance from the destination runway at which one can reliably commence a managed descent. Thanks, Rich As was already mentioned, Mike Ray who wrote a book on flying the A 320, said in his book that 10 miles before TD is best practice.
January 21, 20251 yr 4 hours ago, fluffyflops said: this airbus debate has been around for the 25 years ive been in aviation. some say 10 miles, some say 7.5, some say at zero. no reason to start descent 10 miles before Tod, vnav is vnav and the A320 starts descent gently enough where it is programmed for. But for some reasons you are free to start an early descent, as well as you can stop the managed speed. Missing the PMDG DC6 in MSFS 2024 (she's here, but...).
January 21, 20251 yr Commercial Member 2 minutes ago, Claudius_ said: no reason to start descent 10 miles before Tod, vnav is vnav and the A320 starts descent gently enough where it is programmed for. Finally someone said it, unless the ATC requests it, there is no real benefit in descending before the TOD when using Managed Descend.
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