PMDG 744

[JonathanDaoust]

Hi Guys,
I have started to use the PMDG 744 and a question came up. I know what cost index is and how it works but do you have an idea of what British Airways uses on it's 744s? I'm using 95 for a start, and then in flight I try to adjust depending on arrival time, because I know timing at EGLL for BAW is important, but I though one of you might of had a better anwser than what I'm currently doing.

[DMM200]

I usually use anywhere from 100-125, as it's the most realistic.

However, I'm not sure of the exact number.

[Northwestdc9]

The airlines RARELY if ever use anything over 80 or so. A typical longhaul flight will be anywhere from 60-70 on average.

100-125 is pretty darn high, that's like saying "No one cares about the environment or costs, just GET ME THERE NOW!!!!!!!!!"
In today's economic environment, operators are going to use the lowest possible cost index.

[Anuj]

Last I heard BA uses 0 up till cruse level, then 60 for the rest of the journey.

[alma343]

Someone posted me the ones from the BA Virtual forums


Climb at: Cost Index 0

Cruise at: Cost Index 90 or 0 (Zero is sometimes used on East Coast USA to UK Flights and less often on UK to Singapore/Bangkok flights)

[JonathanDaoust]

Hey Guys, thanks for the input. Another quick question on this model.

When in cruise, when I get my oceanic clearance, I try to put, lets say 0.840/FL370 in the legs page at YAY so it maintains m84 and FL370 on the ocean instead of the speeds calculated by the FMC. But I always get invalid entry response, I have to turn on the speed control and set it to M84.

Any ideas on how to use the FMC with speed/altitude restrictions in cruise?

thanks

[Anuj]

Not sure about speed but make sure that the altitude you set is not above the MAX FL on the Progress page of the FMC.