Originally Posted by
CaptainMark
Get ready..it's coming...GOC has new software which will be putting our aircraft as high as possible...MEM-OKC at FL400...my intel says we have a few pilots who think they can save the company money by uncapping the altitudes in the current system...(same guys who thought up the 290 descent)also we will be a Flag Carrier very soon...no alternates...fuel costs are now a top priority...expect less gas and higher altitudes as early as next month...the email from air-ops eludes to this as well...
The "Optimum Altitude" displayed (INIT or PERF page) when using Cost Index Zero is the most fuel efficient Max Range Cruise altitude. The FMC has the same performance tables built into it that the flight planning computer has, but the FMC also has current (real time) AND forecast winds and temps (assuming you enter them). Therefore, the FMC will be more accurate for optimum altitudes than the flight plan; that was probably calculated at least two hours before the flight. If FedEx really wants to save money, they need to let the FMC have the final "say" in calculating optimum altitudes.... not the flight planning system. That being said, I rarely see an "optimum altitude" that is FL 400 or higher (you would have to be really light). Because of this, I doubt that even the flight planning system will come up with cruise altitudes that high. In any case, you always have the "Max Flight Level" (INIT or PERF page) to reference. Depending on your airline's selection, the MAXFL will either be 1.2g or 1.3g buffet margin (UPS selected 1.2g, which IMHO was not really a good decision). Stay comfortably below the MAXFL, and you will be OK.