Just got settled in my hotel room in DEN and finally made it to this page before signing off....


As far as the 75/76 VNAV... it's rock solid. The only consistent issue I see with guys is not catching the difference between VNAV PTH and VNAV SPD. They'll get a speed change, drop it in the box...and while the hamsters are turning their wheels, the plane reverts to VNAV SPD at the updated speed, and of course floats away. Then once the hamsters say "done, here's your path!" many times people miss that they have floated off and don't take any action to recapture the path.

In all airplanes that I've flown, the path will always trump speed. It will make that crossing hell or high water. As far as holding speed, it's just a matter of how good info you've fed it (winds, a/i correction) and how overly optimistic the software is. I've heard the 800 is quite optimistic on the path as opposed to reality.

Looking forward to flying the 800.... not looking forward to leaving the 75/76. It is what it is!


My opinion on the spirit thing- BAD IDEA.