Silvernapper during my searches there are a whole heap of software upgrades for old !!!!e bits of kit to be PRNav approved. But there is a crew training overhead as well even if the kit is good to go.
And M609 I wouldn't be suprised if your aircraft are PRnav approved now but some gimp in OPS hasn't bothered there arse changing the RPL's or they are waiting for the training cycle to include all the crew going through the sim.
And Peter a FMS to me is whole different ball game to whats being discussed which as you say is just a box of tricks which is like a GPS on steriods. Takes nav data and creates a magenta line. Depending on the box it may join striaght lines or it might give you curves as well and do the holds for you.
FMS will do your trim
All your performance calcs including speeds
Fuel burn. predicted burn and take care of landings weights etc.
Taking the wind levels into consideration will plan your decent to the runway including any speed/level restrictions.
It will drive the vnav to get the previously calculated profile.
It will manage the plane in flight to achive a cost index.
It will work out your most economic cruise level etc
I am sure you get my drift.
Oh and Peter during my searches there is something about PRNav point names being 32bit something or other and your box of tricks needs to be compliant other wise it misses them and can send you off to another airfield halfway through the procedure. ( I really don't have a clue, this is by far your special subject)
Last edited by mad_jock; 12th February 2012 at 21:02.