Is VNAV not operational with the RJ?
-
From what I understand, the VNAV button on the MCP was added in the real planes in anticipation of adding VNAV later in their lifecycle (but that never happened). So the MSFS version, like the real plane, has the button but it doesn’t do anything (like the real plane).
The plane has advisory VNAV in the FMC (the VNAV button across the top). -
Advisory VNAV, yes. But full coupled VNAV was never implemented in the real aircraft.
-
We have the following FAQ related to inoperative MLS and VNAV autopilot buttons which explains the reasoning behind the real aircraft having these buttons inoperative: https://support.justflight.com/en/support/solutions/articles/17000142821-why-are-the-mls-and-vnav-buttons-inoperative-on-the-mcp-
We also have the following FAQ covering the AVNAV (Advisory VNAV) system which is simulated in the RJ Professional: https://support.justflight.com/en/support/solutions/articles/17000143398-advisory-vnav-avnav-explained
Mark - Just Flight
-
@oellph said in Is VNAV not operational with the RJ?:
Part of my enjoyment with the RJ compared to, say, the Airbus is that I am watching the planes progress, keeping an eye on top of descent, setting descent rates via V/S and thinking about the arrival and approach. The FMS makes this easy to do.
I agree. It's the right mix of manual flying with automation. It has been really enjoyable so far.
-
My frame of reference for advisory VNAV is how the Aerosoft CRJ does it. Uncoupled but provides real time feedback on V/S required for altitude constraints. If what I'm reading in the FAQ, that's not how it's modeled in the RJ. The AVNAV is for approach only and the FMS only provides a TOD point.
-
@seatbackpocket The green arc displayed on the ND during descent is your reference. Say you're cruising at FL260 and have a constraint coming up of 7000ft, if you use 2000fpm as your descent rate and instigate the descent at the TOD, you'll notice the green arc in the ND roughly being in line with the waypoint that has the constraint. Once you get the hang of this you'll realise it's super easy to work out a rate of descent using the green arc and waypoints on the ND
Hopefully that helps a little, the RJ is full of little quirks but once you get the hang of them it's an absolute joy to fly
-
I was really surprised by how easy this plane is to descend on a star, i first started doing it with the TOD calculator in the EFB, and then realized that as long as you ballpark a VS you can just use the green arc. Most of the time you can even reduce your speed to meet the speed contraints with that speedbrake while still descending, its wild compared to the normal modern airliners.
-
My last flight I ended up using the TOD calculator, then going to the STAR chart to find the first altitude constraint. I set that altitude in the calc, then created a Fix and a circle diameter from the distance shown. That plus the green banana worked like a charm.
