Many of you have (especially Tim C.) have indicated your long haul flts in this forum.

Well, after solving the propoising issue, I decided to try one: LAX-Gatwick, great circle route.

I had no idea the FMS was smarth enought to indicate the proper step climb: 290 -330, then 330-370.

Well done Capt Sim.

Jack S.
:)

Hey, Jack, why don't you tell me how to do that?  I don't use step climbs, but I should.  If I am not following ATC anyway, do you just use your altitude knob on the glare shield to cap your altitude, or is there some way the FMC will automatically use step climbs for you?

Same here,
I don't use step climbs, although I really should (fuel costs are a consideration on VA flights)
although I haven't used the 767 for any long flights yet, I have done them with the 757.
So please tell us how to (correctly) do that.

Lars

I do step climbs by entering the the height increase in the FMC. Its on the page where you set the ZFW, ALT and CI. I usually put 2000 where you see the word ICAO. The FMC then figures out when to do a step climb.

I also set the first step just above the optimum height shown on the VNAV page. E.G. If VNAV says that the optimum altitude is FL304 i set it to FL310.

Then the FMC will figure out how long/far before the next Step Climb.

Hope i make enough sense for you to understand what needs to be done. Jack S. might be able to better explain it though because he seems to be better informed than me.

Mark

But does the FMC do anything automatically besides tell you where the SCs are?  To execute them, are you just putting the altitude into the box on the glare shield until you finally step up to cruising altitude?

Hi Tim.

After I reach the first altitude and the FMC shows what time/distance the next step climb is due. I change the altitude hold to equal to the altitude of that next step climb. About 10nm before I reach that point, I change the FL in VNAV CRZ page (e.g. FL310 changed to FL330). Then the EXEC button glows. At about 1nm to go I press the EXEC button. The 767/757 immediately starts the climb to that altitude.

If I don't do it that way, the autopilot switches to SPD Hold and Altitude Hold and doesn't return to VNAV and LNAV mode until the altitude is reached (I have to press the buttons to that).

If there is a better way to do it, then I'm all ears.

I started doing this after learning how to do it in the 744X.  ;)

I hope I have explained this clearly enough, but I feel I'm not much of a teacher.  :(

Mark

No, Markoz, that is perfect.  Thanks!  I'll try that next time.

Tim (who is wondering where is avatar went)

Hey guys,
thanks for the help! I haven't tried it with the 767 yet,
but it's working fine with the 757.

Lars

Markoz wrote on Nov 4^th, 2009 at 12:33pm:

Hi Tim. After I reach the first altitude and the FMC shows what time/distance the next step climb is due. I change the altitude hold to equal to the altitude of that next step climb. About 10nm before I reach that point, I change the FL in VNAV CRZ page (e.g. FL310 changed to FL330). Then the EXEC button glows. At about 1nm to go I press the EXEC button. The 767/757 immediately starts the climb to that altitude. If I don't do it that way, the autopilot switches to SPD Hold and Altitude Hold and doesn't return to VNAV and LNAV mode until the altitude is reached (I have to press the buttons to that). If there is a better way to do it, then I'm all ears. I started doing this after learning how to do it in the 744X.  ;) I hope I have explained this clearly enough, but I feel I'm not much of a teacher.  :( Mark

How do you determine your initial altitude before your first step up?

Hi Tim.

This is how I figure it out.

Once I have configured the FMC up to the point that it says that the flight plan and the aircraft configuration is "complete" (on the bottom right hand side of the CDU display on the Takeoff Ref page).
I click on the VNAV button and go to Page 2/3 (LIM CRZ REF page) and on the two lines that  display STEP SIZE, OPT, MAX I select the next altitude odd or even depending on route heading according to the MEAs (Eastbound (0-179 deg) fly ODD and Westbound (180-359 deg) fly EVEN).

E.G. VNAV page 2/3 displays OPT as FL304 and I'm heading Eastbound, then I set my initial cruise altitude at FL310.

I usually go for a 2000 STEP CLIMB because I'm not yet familiar with the full MEAs and I'm too darned lazy to do so and I just want to go and fly.  :o

I hope this helps.

If you are still confused. Say so and I will take some time to use pictures to display how I do it.

Mark

Note: To get more detailed information on MEAs go to http://vatsim.net/prc/ . Select VATSIM 200/300 Prereqs  (on the left of screen). In the next window that opens select  216 - How High to Fly - MEAs (MEAs and altitude selection) - HowHightoFly by EricStearns. Click on the HowToFly and look under the heading Direction of Flight.

Okay, I get it.  I'll try it out on my next flight, hopefully a transpacific today.