Few other little things to mention (all shown by very good guys!)
1. I'm on downwind for example and I'm planning a shortcut to the CF or FAF. I'm sat there trying to measure how many miles prior to the next waypoint so I can enter XXX/-5 for example. Then join this up to the CF or FAF. Instead, I can just select the CF or FA waypoint, insert it into FIX page, get the ABM and then insert it into the LEGS page. Join that up with the CF or FAF and voila.
2. If you're on HDG SEL for wx deviation or vectoring, you can go into the POS page 2, take your current co-ordinates, enter them into LEGS page, then take the next waypoint/+miles to give you a rough idea how long you will be on the heading for, especially for wx avoidance.
EDIT:
Extra point.
You're descending and ATC now tells you reduce speed as well (let's say 230kts). Some line trainer showed me. Go V/S -100fpm, SPD now dial in 230kts. Now press SPD button. This forces ARM mode. Thrust levers will be in idle anyway. Once you get to 230kts, go LVL CHG.
The line trainer told me that a lot of people use V/S to slow down and as the aircraft reaches the desired speed in V/S, it starts bringing the power back in. Guys will then press LVL CHG and then watch the thrust levers close once more. Maybe a bit OCD but I thought it was a nice touch of flying through the MCP!!
I'm always learning on this aircraft. I hold my hands up and be the first to admit I don't know everything but I have forgotten a lot! Sometimes I feel like I've forgotten more than I've learned.
Last edited by LOWI; 30th March 2026 at 19:23.