HelloOn my first flight using RC4 KSFO to KEWR my crusing alt was 35000.Flying a PMDG 737-800 using the FMC. My star was FQM1 into EWR. At Vor SLT STAR chart says FL should be 18000. As I got within SLT still no word to descent to FL 18000 from ATC. I've flown the same route in real life 2 months ago. Same type aircraft and I believe very close to the same route into EWR. The anything I had to go by was the map on the display on the monitor in front of my. We started our descent over eastern Ohio at 1200 fpm. I seldom use MSFS for ATC because it would wait till 60 to 80 miles from the airport to start your descent. The FMC top of descent seems to close to the airport which wants you to descend steeply to get to your assigned altitude at a certin fix point. I put the STAR into my MSFS flight plan and into RC4. RC4 sent me way south of my landing runway and took more time to land. I'm not a real pilot but that doesn't seem correct unless your being held in a pattern to hold. Then you get messages your over your descent speed because your fpm is to steep, even with spoilers deployed. The 767 Level D aircraft FMC is set to descent 1200fpm which you have to ask ATC descent alot sooner the later. Also I use ASv6 and if the wind is from your tail you will need to descend sooner. Does RC4 take any of this into account? What is the correct time to descend from a high altitude? One more question how to declare an emergency at cruise altitude I couldn't find it. Sorry for the long post.Thank YouEwrworker

emergency is on page 3 or 4 or maybe 5 of the menusi calculate when you should descend based on your altitude, and whether you need to be at 11000 or 12000 40 miles from the airport.are you saying you were never told to descend? to late? to early? post your .pln file here, let's take a look at itjd

>On my first flight using RC4 KSFO to KEWR my crusing alt was>35000.>Flying a PMDG 737-800 using the FMC. My star was FQM1 into>EWR. At Vor SLT STAR chart says FL should be 18000. NOTE: the current FQM1 has no altitude associated with SLT.Also note that sometimes the altitudes on the published STARs are "expect" altitudes. For example, "Expect to cross at FL180". Those are not crossing restrictions (e.g, at FL180, at or above FL180, at or below FL180). In other words, an "expect" altitude is provided for planning purpose only. >As I got>within SLT still no word to descent to FL 18000 from ATC. RC4 is not aware of altitudes associated with the published STARS. For that reason, it will not give you descent instructions that coincide with the altitudes on the chart.>I put the STAR into my MSFS>flight plan and into RC4. RC4 sent me way south of my landing>runway and took more time to land. I'm not a real pilot but>that doesn't seem correct unless your being held in a pattern>to hold. Were you landing to the north on 04L or 04R? If so, being vectored south of the airport is as expected.Note that in real world ops, depending on airport, time of day, proximity to other airports, and traffic saturation, it is quite normal to be sequenced into the landing traffic flow pattern, and you could be vectored for a 15-20 mile final.>Then you get messages your over your descent speed>because your fpm is to steep, even with spoilers deployed. The>767 Level D aircraft FMC is set to descent 1200fpm The LDS 767 fixed rate of descent applies only when you initiate the descent prior to the T/D, i.e., via the "DES NOW" option. Once you capture the programmed descent path, I've seen vertical speeds as high as 3800 FPM, which equates to ~320 knots indicated air speed in the descent [using the LDS 767].>which you>have to ask ATC descent alot sooner the later. Also I use ASv6>and if the wind is from your tail you will need to descend>sooner. >Does RC4 take any of this into account? RC4 is not taking winds into account when initiating the descent.Note that you have the option to request a higher or lower altitude at any time. So, should you want to start down sooner, you can do so.>What is the>correct time to descend from a high altitude? For the aircraft you referenced (LDS 767/PMDG 737) the correct time to descend is provided for you by the FMC. It does take into account a descent path based on altitude, winds, etc. When I say "correct time", that is based on the most efficient use of fuel. The "correct time" from the ATC perspective does not take fuel efficiency into account - but does take into account the safest and most efficient flow of aircraft.Typically, in RC4 (using the LDS 767) the descent from cruise comes when you are still ~30-50nm from the FMC calculated T/D. You can either 1) accept that instruction and start down immediately, or 2) request a PD (pilots discretion descent). Note that to request the PD you must be controlling COMMS, not Otto. If the PD is granted, then you can wait until the calculated T/D and start down.Sorry for the long post.We have no problem with long posts if you have no problem with long answers! ;-)>Thank YouYou are very welcome.-michael