EGLL to EGPH

[TeaLeaf]

A little pre-christmas jaunt from Heathrow to Edinburgh in the PMDG 777 at dawn.  

Screenie taken at 24,000 ft and just prior to ToD for the zero-throttle descent down to 3,000 ft.   I approached EGPH from the south on 358, dropped to 2,500 over the the mountains (minimums!) and then lost a bunch of altitude to get down to the glide slope by banking left to do a short VFR approach to runway 30.   Stopped with perhaps 500ft of runway left! :norty:

I used Edinburgh's shorter 30 runway as I wanted a landing challenge and with the mountains there to the south, it was good fun trying to control speed, lose enough altitude once over the mountain range and then still turn and line up on glide slope for a short runway.    

Nice short route and a great final if you VFR the approach and landing on 30.

Good fun & recommended!


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[sulky_uk]

Nice flight. I love that jet also. Does your vnav manage descent on its own. As I have to manual descend

[vobler]

I'm not sure what you guys use for approach charts, but I bought SimPlates (ipad) a few months ago. It has been a great ride learning IFR this winter. I flew the whole Norwegian coast, 45 airports in real weather. At every airport I flew one of the VOR/LOC/NDB Approaches available. The SimPlates was invaluable for that. It is available for several platforms. Recommended if you are doing IFR.

[sulky_uk]

Hmm might have a look vobler cheers

[TeaLeaf]

Nice flight. I love that jet also. Does your vnav manage descent on its own. As I have to manual descend

VNAV does the descent yes,  or at least it does if you create a proper flight plan and trigger the altitude adjustment as per the flight plan.   I use vroute to make the flight plans and set load/fuel/cruise altitude etc accordingly.  The FMC imports the flight plan then  sets take off thrust etc.    Once up and running, then just prior to ToD you get a warning on the FMC telling you to adjust the MCP altitude so that it can take over VNAV for you.  It will not change altitude unless you do this.

[sulky_uk]

VNAV does the descent yes,  or at least it does if you create a proper flight plan and trigger the altitude adjustment as per the flight plan.   I use vroute to make the flight plans and set load/fuel/cruise altitude etc accordingly.  Using Flight Director, just prior to ToD you get a warning on the FMC telling you to adjust the MCP altitude so that it can take over VNAV for you.  It will not change altitude unless you do this.

Ok that makes sense ill give it a go when I get back from the emerald isle cheers

[TeaLeaf]

No problems.   If for example, I am cruising at 34,000ft, then at ToD I set the MCP from 34,000 down (usually) 3,000ft.   The FMC then handels the descent and speed checks along the way.   Evcery now and then the FMC will ask for assistance in slowing the 777, simply add 1 degree of flaps or pop the speed brake out until the FMS thinks it is fine.    If you look at the navigation MFD then you'll see an arc ahead of you on the flightpath which is where the FMC calculates you will reach the desired altitude.  Same happens during the climb phase to cruise altitude.