737 FMC

[FreaKy Pilot]

Hello guys :)

I'm new so let me introduce my self : My name is Sam, I'm 17 and I'm French. I saw this forum while I was looking for Ryanair's cost Index and appararently there are professional pilots here. Therefore, I decided to ask you a couple of questions involving the 737 FMC. I hope someone will take the time to answer my following questions :O

First of all let me show you my HOLD page :

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/235913Sanstitre1.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=235913Sanstitre1.jpg)

Some friends explained me what the left column meant but I still don't know what the right column means. I only know that "EFC time" stands for Expect Further Clearance time and that "HOLD avail" is the time remaining before the airplane start to use the fuel reserves. But I don't understand what 0+06 means. For me it doesn't make any sense :sad:

Then, there is a page "FIX info" and I don't have any idea of what this page is used for :confused:

I hope someone will answer these questions :)

[4Screwaircrew]

0+06, zero hours and six minutes of holding time available.

[Northbeach]

When ATC (Air Traffic Control) gives the pilot a holding pattern, ATC usually issues an EFC (expect further clearance time) as well. When the flight goes into holding, the understanding is that the holding will end at some time. It is not a permanent solution to simply put an aircraft in a holding pattern. If ATC does not issue an EFC, the pilot should ask for an EFC to be given.

What is one to do, if one is in a holding pattern and then the ability to communicate with ATC fails; the radio(s) fail for example? The regulations are written so that both the pilot(s) and ATC have an understanding of what the pilot is to do under such circumstances. Under such circumstances having an EFC is very important.

Hold available 0+06 means the crew has 0-hours and 6 minutes of holding time available at current fuel consumption before the crew begins to burn into their "reserve" fuel (a value normally entered in prior to departure).

The "Fix" page allows the crew to enter in a point of interest, it could be a navigation fix, airport or many other items. One use would be to pre-program a company escape routing to be flown in the event of an engine failure. These pre-developed "escape routings" are called different names by different operators.

Let's say an airport has tall hills or mountains off the departure end of the runway. The IFR departure has the jet turning one direction and climbing away safely. However if one engine fails, the jet no longer has the performance to climb fast enough while following the normal IFR departure and maintain enough altitude over the rising terrain below.

In such a case a pre-planned and engineered alternate departure procedure may be developed by the company with the approval of the regulatory authority. This escape routing may be a turn in the opposite direction at some distance from the airport. In this case one would enter the airport and a distance in the "Fix" page. That information would then be displayed for the pilot to reference during the takeoff maneuver.

If ATC gives a general weather advisory/warning and lists sever navigation facilities as the geographical location of the weather it is possible to "draw" the "box of bad weather" using the “Fix page” and have it displayed in front of us for improved situational awareness.

[FreaKy Pilot]

Thank you very much for the answers especially for the EFC time, Hold available and the Fix page :)

I wondered if it was possible to use the fix page to see the direct distance to an aiport or a waypoint (VOR, NDB) ? I use it now to know when I'm at 30Nm - 15Nm and 7Nm to the destination airport but I don't know if this page is also used to do that. I find it pretty useful because in low visibility conditions I know exactly geographically the distance between me and the airport and not the distance left to fly until I arrive.

Other question, what am I supposed to do with the NAV STATUS page ? :eek: It drives me nuts ! :ugh:

[mutt]

I wondered if it was possible to use the fix page to see the direct distance to an airport or a waypoint Yep you can, we use it to find the correct direction to Makkah in order to advise passengers.

[Denti]

The NAV STATUS page is an information page, shows information about the status of your navigation sources. Usually only checked if you have serious doubt about some navigation stuff, which is, pretty much never.

[FreaKy Pilot]

Again thank you very much :) !

Here are my last questions and I leave you alone :oh: After that I will be able to say that I know how to use the FMC at 100% :p !!

I don't understand the following information but I'm sure it's very easy :)


http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/122313FMC1.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=122313FMC1.jpg) http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/192257FMC2.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=192257FMC2.jpg)

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/831345FMC3.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=831345FMC3.jpg)

[Denti]

Progress Page 2, current SAT (or Still Air Temperature) and any deviation to ISA atmospheric temperature. Important for inflight performance considerations, mainly max flight level and stuff.

Descent Forecast Page. Fill at your leisure, TAI ON/OFF asks for the flight levels where you gonna switch thermal anti ice (engine anti ice) on and off. The wind field is there to put in three flight levels (left side) and wind directions/speed infos (right side). We have that on our OFP usually as descent winds, normally FL310, FL200 and Fl100. Never touched cabin rate, as far as i know its filled in automatically. BTW, fill in the transition level as well, otherwise you might get a yellow indication on your PFD if you switch to QNH during the descent with an altitude target above the TL.

Descent page: FPA is the current flight path angle based on actual vertical and air speed. V/B is the vertical bearing from present position to the waypoint and altitude restriction in the line above, basically the required FPA if you fly directly from present position to that waypoint and want to reach it at the required altitude.

[FreaKy Pilot]

Thank you very much Denti ! :) I think I almost know everything now !

Have a nice day !

[Denti]

Mach5, it is probably better if you start a new thread with this question over in Techlog where there are some very knowledgeable guys. I doubt however they expect a question like this in an obvious flight simmer thread about the 737 FMC.