Originally Posted by
Scoop
Buzz,
The LAX 73N category is pretty laid back. After 9-11, I got pretty much the full system tour of DAL: I bounced from DFW-LAX-SLC-MCO-ATL-SLC and finally back to LAX. All of the guys that I flew with were pretty laid back, but the LAX 73N Captains set the standard for being relaxed. Another bonus is that in a category this size you often the know the guys you fly with. I also set the stab trim - aren't we supposed to? Then again I never had a captain complain or question me about it and I am also ignorant on the whole "Fletch issue." Of course I am one of the few, the proud, who use the 'Very Seldom" button, AKA VS, AKA vertical speed.
Scoop
The button on the 737 actually says "LVL CHG" or something like that, but on the 757/767 it says "FL CH," thus where the "Feltch" thing comes in.
I was a big VS fan on the 75/76 since the descend now function just parked the autothrottles and the airplane would waft around chasing the descent airspeed. I'd just dial in 1000 FPM until approaching the path and then put it back into VNAV for a smooth transition to idle.
The 73 automatically does the 1000 FPM thing when descend now/ALT INTV is done, so I typically will use that and never have to leave VNAV path. Terminal area I use VS until I need to get down then its LVL CH (which I'm now going to start calling "Ferd" and see if anyone notices.)
Techniques by 80, done. I need a drink.