Auto Flight/Navigation (Cruise) Flashcards
What AFDS pitch mode is displayed on the FMA when level at a VNAV constrained altitude?
VNAV PTH
During VNAV cruise, what is the effect of pushing ALT INTV after selecting a higher altitude on the MCP?
FMC resets cruise altitude to MCP altitude and initiates a cruise climb.
During VNAV cruise, what is the effect of pushing ALT INTV after selecting a lower altitude on the MCP?
An early descent is initiated
What happens if the MCP ALT is set to a lower altitude but at or above a descent constraint and the airplane is more than 50 NM from TOD?
CRZ DES occurs; cruise altitude resets to MCP ALT and vertical speed commands of -1000 fpm to the new cruise altitude
What happens if MCP ALT is set lower and the airplane is within 50 NM of TOD?
Early descent mode is invoked with vertical speed commands of -1000 fpm until intercepting the VNAV path or MCP ALT level-off occurs
What happens if MCP ALT is below current altitude and below a descent constraint, more than 50 NM from TOD?
Early descent vertical speed commands of -1000 fpm until path intercept or MCP ALT level off occurs
What are two ways to initiate a descent from cruise altitude while in VNAV PTH?
- Enter a lower altitude in the MCP and select ALT INTV to descend at ~1000 fpm to selected altitude or until intercepting VNAV path.
- Enter a lower altitude in the MCP and select DES NOW prompt from FMC DECENT page to descend at ~1000 fpm to selected altitude or until intercepting VNAV path.
What is pressing ALT INTV equivalent to?
Executing the DES NOW prompt
What is the preferred method for descent beyond 50 miles from TOD?
Enter a lower cruise altitude in the MCP and CRZ page. This will command a 1000 fpm descent until the new cruise altitude is reached, with aircraft leveling in VNAV PATH during a Cruise Descent.
