Uplock,
I beg to disagree, you still have the same level of automation whether in OPEN Descent or Managed. Managed is a different mode of descent not a different level of automation.
Ronnie Raygun,
I know what the SOP's say, but we are also payed to be pilots, so if the box is being unrealistic we are allowed to intervene, and I think A100 at 70 miles is a tad unrealistic. Read my post carefully, I meant the +4 idle factor is part of the rubbish, coupled with ECON descent speed which the aircraft will try to fly at the lower limit if you let it, means that the managed profile is rubbish. I also said instead of taking the easy way out people should be trained to manage the aircraft energy if they don't already know how to. Any clearer???
Are you saying you will follow the donut irrespective of anything else???
As for the train set analogy, that is a cop out. We are all grown ups I hope, so play with the train set like a grown up. Know the limitations, fly conservatively, fly safe but FLY.
Enjoy the train set