TKent

What's the best way to do a steep descent in the NGX? Say I'm flying level at 16,000 feet, at 240 kt, no flaps, and want to descend as quickly as possible to 3000 to pick up an ILS. (I know about planning ahead, but some STARS require a sharp descent in a limited distance.) If I set 3000 in my altitude window and click LVL CHG, the descent is too slow for what the STAR requires. But if I click VS and set a faster rate of descent, my speed shoots up to 300 kt or more, which will also be a problem. Strangely, if I activate the speed brakes, the speed seems to rise even higher. What am I missing? Tom Kent

In the normal airline world, is it allowed to start engines when still at the gate, or only after pushback? I don't want to suck stray people around the gate into the engines ... but when I take actual flights, it often seems like a very short time from pushback to taxi, not enough to start the engines only after pushback. Tom Kent

Thanks, everyone! I think my problem is solved. As some of you suggested, I was not executing the PERF INIT page, figuring I'd just click EXEC once after filling in all the remaining pages. I'm clicking EXEC now when I'm done with the PERF INIT page and the V-speeds are showing up fine on the speed tape. Tom Kent

Occasionally I find that the v-speeds are shown fine on the FMC -- the FMC is calculating them correctly -- but they are not carried over to the display by the speed tape. Underneath the speed tape it says, in green, "VR 100," which isn't correct, since the VR on the FMC is often around 146 knots. Nothing is shown by the VR speed actually calculated by the FMC. Any reason these calculated speeds aren't being transferred over to the speed tape? Tom Kent

Not using FSX ATC, at least that I know of. (And sorry about the multiple posts. Trying to get the others down.)

Just turned off the active runway after landing at CYUL Montreal and found myself nose-to-nose with another aircraft on the taxiway, aimed straight at me. He braked. I braked. Then we just stared at each other. I have nothing installed but FSX and the PMDG NGX. I don't mind another a/c or two taxiing around the airport at a distance, but this is getting too personal. How do I shut these a/c off? Or, if I leave them enabled, what should I do in a situation like this? Tom Kent

For those wondering about all that fuel, it WAS a fairly long flight, KBOS-LFVP. But I had about 8,000 lb. too much, probably; total burn was 29,000 lb. - and would have been less if I'd retracted the gear from the start!Tom Kent

Thanks for those super-fast answers. It WAS the gear; i raised it and climb is normal now.I thought the gear handle was supposed to be in the middle ("off") position -- I thought that meant the gear was retracted and the hydraulics were off. What is the "off" position supposed to be used for?Tom Kent

My cruise altitude in the FMC is 35000 ft but it's taking forever to get there. What am i doing wrong? I can press the VS button, dial in +2000 or so, and it climbs rapidly for a minute or so ... then the feet-per-minute window goes black and the plane resumes barely climbing at all.Tom Kent

Yes, when I load the C&D setup.

There should be no power on the plane.Or do they just LOOK like they're illuminated?Tom Kent

Are you slewing before turning the battery on, by any chance?http://forum.avsim.net/topic/364777-slewing-causes-electrical-system-alarm/

I'm running into several cases where the ATIS frequencies at airports are outside NGX's capability. For instance, at KWRI, McGuire AFP in New Jersey, the ATIS frequencies are 110.6 and 270.1. The NGX comm radios can't tune either frequency, unless I'm missing something.Tom Kent

My strange event of the day: When I set load a flight, cold and dark, and I turn on the battery switch, everything lights up as it should. BUT if I set up the flight cold and dark, then slew it to a different place on the airport, and THEN switch on the battery, I get a loud warning horn that I can't silence. (Happens whether ground power is connected or not.) Any ideas?Also -- I'm not sure if this is new with service pack C or not -- when the plane is cold and dark, the master caution and fire warning lights are on. Why should that be, on a plane with no power?Tom Kent

For those interested in this issue, I contacted PMDG. They asked if the problem occurs on all planes, or just one. I switched from thre 900NGX to the 800NGX and the audio panel works fine on the 800. Will tell PMDG, and if they have any ideas I'll post them here.