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Cross DME from airport

Old 03-03-2009 | 02:36 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by coldpilot
You guys are spoiled. Gotta love doing the mental math to make it in a /A! Real pilots don't need an FMS
Solidarity my /A Brother!

We dont need no little computers helping us out. Granted we have to constantly adjust our decent rate and usually end up at the required altitude miles before the assigned fix but we get there, oh yeah, we get there.
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Old 03-03-2009 | 02:51 PM
  #12  
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Yep...we Airline pilot types would be lost without the FMS...Personally I prefer the green needles and 3-to-1 rule. Add a fudge factor every time for my lack of pilot skills and I make it every time LoL
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Old 03-03-2009 | 02:53 PM
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Another method, probably way too inefficient for jets:

(Altitude to lose / 1000) X 3 = NM distance from restriction to begin descent

Ground speed X 6 = Descent rate needed to make the restriction in the above calculated NM distance



Example:

Need to lose 10,000, and are currently 40 miles from restriction

(10,000 / 1000) X 3 = beginning of descent required 30 miles from restriction

400 KT Groundspeed X 6 = 2400 fpm descent rate required to lose 10,000 in 30 miles.
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Old 03-03-2009 | 02:55 PM
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I've always halved the groundspeed...ie 400 knots equals 2K fpm. Works every time and it's easy enough to do in the head!
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Old 03-03-2009 | 03:02 PM
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Umm, just descend to the altitude right away haha
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Old 03-03-2009 | 03:25 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by JetPipeOverht
Umm, just descend to the altitude right away haha
remember, a jet is more efficient high up. why drop down to 10k when you can stay at FL290 for longer. in the 170/5 that's about 500lb/side difference in fuel burn at 290kts

and for the super lazy, the 170 will create that glideslope, then follow it down for you. it's great when they tell you to descend via the STAR, and you just put the lowest altitude in and watch the magic box do its thing.
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Old 03-03-2009 | 04:58 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
I often get this type of crossing restriction coming into ABQ. I know where I am in relation to the airport (using a wypt for the airport) and make sure that I am at whatever altitude they assigned prior (basically pen and paper like you say). The trick in my airplane comes from the descent profile. Do I figure out a nice long near idle descent or just dive and drive at the last moment? Hummmm....decisions, decisions. I can't wait to get my hands on some of that descent profile FMS type stuff those fancy airplanes have in them!

USMCFLYR
I'll trade my CRJ/FMS for your F-18/Paper & Pencil! =D
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Old 03-03-2009 | 05:00 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB
Yep...we Airline pilot types would be lost without the FMS...Personally I prefer the green needles and 3-to-1 rule. Add a fudge factor every time for my lack of pilot skills and I make it every time LoL
Really? Nobody flies an RJ in green needles...
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Old 03-03-2009 | 05:36 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by marco
I want to descend at 5000' per minute

In the words of Martin Lawrence, "DAMMMNNN GEEENA!" Is that rate fairly normal for freight folks? I like it.
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Old 03-03-2009 | 05:57 PM
  #20  
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Thanks for all the answers everyone!

Jeff
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