Is it not OPD? Optimized profile descent?

So setting the lowest hard altitude, the snowflake will allow you to meet the at or above and at or below altitudes as well? I always thought the snowflake was looking at the next altitude in the FMS.

You need to have the correct VPA set on page three of the VNAV page. Every arrival/runway configuration has an optimum VPA, not just the default 3.0. But even then it's definetly not a "set it and forget it" descent rate so you can go back to your Maxim magazine or bitc#ing about the contract.

Very true. VNAV equipped CRJs will do it without modifying VPA though.

AWAC has computed the descent angles (VPAs) for all the OPDs we fly and have it available in our documentation so it can be entered when assigned. It works well except sometimes that angle hits the very top or bottom of a window...so you have to do some of that pilot Shiz Mav.

Thanks guys!

Beware the 50 knot tailwind.....

50kts? Kid's stuff. It gets fun in the winter when you've got 90-100 knots or more pushing you along :)

We have enough freaking acronyms in this industry do we really need to double up? ODP is obstacle departure procedure. Find a new one for whatever vnav crap you are trying to complicate.

Index>database>pilot waypoint list>delete the generic fixes>leave the smut ones

New CRJ-900s only.