When using aircraft with FMC's (LVD 767, PMDG 737 and 744, Feelthere 737) I always get decsent from CRZ instructions 50-70 nm's from TOD cues on the FMC. In most cases I select DES NOW on the VNAV/DES page. Is this standard in realworld aviation?Dave FisherCYYZP4 Prescott 3.2e 478p 800mhz 1mg CPUP4P800SE Asus Motherboard2.5 gig PC3200 DDR RAM 400MHZGeforce Ti 4200/128Maxtor 80 Gig ATA 133 HD x2WDC WD800 80 Gig HDhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpghttp://fs2crew.com/linepilot.jpghttp://www.jdtllc.com/images/rcv4bannersupporter.jpg

If not in 4.2, V5 has pilot's discretion descents from cruise. Whether or not it is available depends on vertical stacking if present and traffic density, plus local policy. Occasionally in real world scan monitoring of enroute I have heard pilots request early or held descents.In the US constant descent approaches are still being kicked around the rules committees according to what I've read, but at least in the final approach phases where various arrival and departure patterns overlap stepping to keep vertical separation I think will stay.

Thank's Ron. I should have checked the forum, someone already asked the same question.Dave FisherCYYZP4 Prescott 3.2e 478p 800mhz 1mg CPUP4P800SE Asus Motherboard2.5 gig PC3200 DDR RAM 400MHZGeforce Ti 4200/128Maxtor 80 Gig ATA 133 HD x2WDC WD800 80 Gig HD

>When using aircraft with FMC's (LVD 767, PMDG 737 and 744,>Feelthere 737) I always get decsent from CRZ instructions>50-70 nm's from TOD cues on the FMC. In most cases I select>DES NOW on the VNAV/DES page. Is this standard in realworld>aviation?Yes. Also, note that if you have the comms, you will be provied the menu option "3) PD". That is a Pilots Discretion descent request. If approved you can start down when you wish.-michael