Starlight

Thanks Spin737 - I was after real world operations (I should have mentioned that). My question arose after doing several approach and landings in severe turbulence (in the sim) - it was easier with CWS on. I will alter my procedure. Best, WilloW (Iain Williams)

Greetings Control Wheel Steering (CWS) can be used during approach without a problem. But, what about landing - can CWS remain engaged during the landing ? Also, if flying with CWS engaged, is it protocol to also have the A/T engaged ? If using CWS I disengage at 1500 feet or at minimums and usually, if in approach mode, manually control the throttle. However, at other times I leave the A/T engaged when using CWS. Thanks, WilloW

Than You WilloW

Thank you for your replies. I agree that it is not good practice to judge anything real from a simulation, as there are variables. But when I heard the alarm I was naturally curious. I have not heard this alarm in real aircraft videos, nor have a read about it in the FCOM and FCTM. It appears from the replies that the alarm is NOT 737 related and is NOT a customised sound that is regularly used. Which is good, as it means I can sleep tonight Cheers, Iain

Thanks for your comments. It could be an option - not sure. Perhaps a real-world NG pilot, if they read this , this can chime in. The AFDS illumninates as the Autothrottle are disengaged - suggesting that the noise is indeed an A/T disconnect alarm. I cannot comment on what options are used in the video as this is NOT my sim. I am trying to determine what the alarm is for, and then whteher it is a cutomised airline option. Thanks, Iain

Thanks. Can you confirm that the alram is identical to that heard in this video ? Further, does the alarm sound everytime you disconnect the autothrottles (no matter what the altitude) or only below a certain altitude ? Cheers, Iain

Greetings I am baffled by an alarm that I do not understand. I have searched through the FCOM and FCTM without luck. Navigate 32 minutes into the video just before landing. You will hear an audible alarm which is the autopilot disconnect (zaa zaa zaa). This is immediately followed by another alarm (beep beep beep). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXH9LhUQCIs Does anyone know what this alarm is for? On another note, does the NG have an alarm for the auto throttle disconnect ? Thanks, Iain

Hi Kyle and Matt Many thanks for your explanation. I understand the concepts Kyle, but did not understand the purpose of the white bug because as Matt stated, I could not find much information concerning this in any literature. I probably should have worded my question differently. I just found it odd that the bug was there yet nothing had been really documented concerning its use. Thank you again. Best, Iain (aka WilloW)

Hi 92 views and no one knows the answer.... Surely there are a few real B737 pilots or a PMDG developer that can provide clarification on the use of the white bug. Thanks, WilloW

Greetings Concerning the white-coloured bug located on the speed tape, that is displayed when you select VREF in the CDU. The bug reads VREF + 20. I have been told that this bug is used as reference for two things - 1: as a speed marker for one engine only during TOGA; and 2: as a bug to set the MCP speed to when making your initial descent after the Initial Approach FIX (IAF). Can someone clarify its this please ?? Thank You, WilloW

Thank you Scandinavian13 - very helpful WilloW

Ahh of course - the FCOM..... That's where I read it! I've been reading so much lately that the sources blend. Thanks, WilloW

Greetings I read this somewhere but can no longer find it. Can someone confirm the maximum descent rate (to be in compliance with regulations) for the B737-800 during a non-precision approach and a precision approach? From memory it is no greater than 1000- fpm for a precision approach and 1300 feet for non-precision approach. Thank you, WilloW

Thank you for the prompt reply Stephen. You are of course correct when it comes to vagrancy of real-time flight - conditions change. I thought it may have been a quick thing to do. Having this information printed on screen, rather than working out the appropriate runway is just easier - although totally inaccurate concerning real life procedures. Thank you. BTW, he latest beta works exceptionally well on my system at the moment - some major upgrades have obviously taken place Best, WilloW

Greetings I am wondering if it is possible to include the preferred runway for landing based on wind condtions in the destination and alternate weather briefings. Having this information readily obtainable would allow approaches to be determined and set up well before ATIS was operative. Thank you, WilloW

Thanks Stephen and Cheryl. I appreciate the link I'll do as you suggest over the next few days. Time is a little short at the moment :( Best, WilloW

Hi Cheryl I am not using the latest BETA. My purchase was about 6 weeks ago, so I'm not sure if there has been an upgrade since then. I have no other weather engine injecting weather, FSUPIC is disabled and FSX is not set to real weather options. Further I do not fly on-line at the moment. I only fly the B737 with ProSim737. The only aspect that holds true is that the changes occur below 4000 feet I will do some further testing if I have time over the coming weekend. Cheers, WilloW

Thank you for your reply Cheryl Windshifts occur 3 minutes after take off, so the longtime between updates appears to not be valid. I have done everything you have suggested and the issue continues. I also have tested on several days ensuring the live weather is a different from the previous with the same result, It seems that the issue presents itself below 4000 feet (takoff and approach phase). As this does not appear to be an easy fix, but I'll continue to experiment. I checked and unchecked options so many times during testing with the same result. Of interest however, was that Active Sky with live weather did NOT result in wind shifts. Perhaps in a future release you can have an option to inhibit wind shifts and gusts for those of us who have issues for whatever reason. There are so many variables..... WilloW

Hello Cheryl Thank you for your reply. DHM is not enabled. As a comparison, I used Active Sky and the the sharp changes did not occur. It seems to occur at around 3000 feet altitude when either ascending after takeoff or descending on an approach course. I will not activate FSUPIC weather parameters. Do you have any further suggestions to solve this issue ? WilloW

Greetings Using live weather I've noticed that occasionally I am getting rather strong "gusts" and changes in wind direction. These changes are quite sudden and always straighten themselves out in 10-15 seconds or so. It isn't a problem during cruise; however, when they occur on an approach it's rather inconvenient. Whilst the changes "maybe" related to real weather changes, is there a way to smooth them out or remove them altogether ?? I have all the appropriate boxes re: stabilization etc ticked (checked). Further, FSUPIC has all weather turned OFF. Can I activate suppress gusts in FSUPIC to solve this issue ? Many thanks, WilloW

Understand 100%. Thank you for confirming my original thoughts - one again a wonderful program. Cheers, WilloW

Stephen, Thank you for your answer. During an update all weather for the texture grid is uploaded as part of the METAR. The grid (depending on the size selected) may include several stations each which may have differing weather based on conditions at the time of the update. If you are flying through a number of stations will the weather change as you fly into the adjacent station's circle of influence ? I hope this makes sense. Thank you WilloW

Greetings; Quick question re: clouds and the timing of weather updates. If the update is set to 30 minutes, do the clouds change based on the current update as you progress through your flight, or do they remain more or less the same until the next update occurs? I realize it depends on the METAR, but if the METAR is variable will you see changes. Thank you, WilloW

Thanks Cheryl. What I was referring to was an active "live" notification line on the main FSX screen. Something that was automatic and you saw as the weather updated. The notification needs only to be visible for the duration of the update then it automatically turns off. This suggestion mimics what some other programs do when an updates occurs. Cheers, WilloW

Thank you Stephen for the prompt reply. I'd like to suggest an improvement/idea. Is it possible to have a notification line on the FSX screen when the weather is updating (WEATHER UPDATING....). I am using the client to inject/update weather and it would be good to know if the update is operating OK. Perhaps the feature can be enabled/disabled somewhere in the setup allowing users who don't want this feature to turn it off. Thanks, WilloW