skypilot75

The issue for me was HDR lighting. During night flights the PFD was glowing so much that it was difficult to read the FD indications. Turning off HDR in P3D instantly resolves the matter.

Looking forward to returning to the virtual skies in the 738, it has been almost two years since my last flight. The 777 looks great also, I just happen to have the cash and renewed interest to acquire that model as well.

Sounds like you are missing two key steps: 1 - Program the complete flight plan in your FMC. Join the last enroute waypoint to the first waypoint in the approach plan (STAR). Sometimes this happens automatically if the last enroute waypoint just happens to be the first waypoint in the STAR that you are using. Most of the time, at least in my experience, you have to manually join the two. 2 - When closing in on ToD you should be well into your descent preparation which includes lowering the altitude setting in your MCP. For simplicity sake you can choose the final approach altitude in the MCP and make your life easier until you better understand STAR plates or use your FMC altitudes as your reference. Just be aware that some of the altitudes require you to be above a certain altitude or below. I think if you pass the ToD and have not changed the MCP altitude from your cruising altitude you might have to press the alt intervene button. My memory is a bit foggy as I have switched to P3D months ago and am wistfully awaiting progress from PMDG. HTH

Thanks for the response, I appreciate your time. For the autobrake I was hoping there was some kind of indicator that I haven't noticed, but it seems to me from your responses there is good reason why I haven't found it. So what I gather is that the rate of deceleration even with reverse thrust engaged is significantly enhanced by the selected autobrake mode and without it I was roll much farther down the runway. I can't recall a time where I haven't used the autobrake so perhaps my next flight I'll find the longest runway and try not using it to see the difference it makes.

In the 737-800 NG model, how does one know the autobrakes are actually operating. I use the autobrakes on every take-off and landing and certainly know to simply look at the radial dial to see what mode is enabled, but is there another visual indicator in the HUD or elsewhere that show the autobrake is engaged. I ask not that I am having any trouble flying the NG, but more or less my curiosity about seeing some kind of visual as a checkpoint. Thanks in advance for your help.