Southwest joins the 21st Century!!

[Bob_Sacamano]

Crap! That means the end really is near!

Dude. We've had acars for years now.

Gup

 

[Chest Rockwell]

Alcatraz is correct. CLB Thrust is more fuel efficient than CLB-1 or CLB-2, unless you have to level at low altitudes which would negate the advantage. I believe that CLB-1 and 2 revert to CLB at around 15K. The reduced thrust takeoff is less fuel efficient, but saves on the "power by the hour" engine lease program. At some point, fuel prices may get to the point that it outweighs the reduced thrust lease savings.

As for autothrottles, there is no requirement to use them in RNP operations. It will be evaluated by SWA.

 

[GoingHot]

Here comes Auto Throttles and Vnav


http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=8839

Now the pilots won't have "anything" to do. They might as well sit in the back with the pax.

 

[humuakalaka]

Autothrottles are not required for RNP? Really?

What are the differences between RNP and VNAV/LNAV approaches?

Also, does this mean that the -300's will be retrofitted to glass or can you fly RNP on steam? What is involved in the retrofit?

 

[vixin]

The classics are going to be fitted with glass. We are not going to get autothrottles.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

Autothrottles are not required for RNP? Really?

What are the differences between RNP and VNAV/LNAV approaches?

Also, does this mean that the -300's will be retrofitted to glass or can you fly RNP on steam? What is involved in the retrofit?

Really. RNP is essentially GPS-based vertical and lateral guidance. It will not be restricted to a lengthy straight-in approach. An ILS can be flown with or without A/Ts and the same is true for RNP. Cat II approaches can be A/P or hand-flown with HGS. I do not know if any current RNP operator is doing it without A/T.

Autothrottles are still to be evaluateed.

 

[Truckdriver]

Really. RNP is essentially GPS-based vertical and lateral guidance. It will not be restricted to a lengthy straight-in approach. An ILS can be flown with or without A/Ts and the same is true for RNP. Cat II approaches can be A/P or hand-flown with HGS. I do not know if any current RNP operator is doing it without A/T.

Autothrottles are still to be evaluateed.

We should be RNP approved at JetBlue within a couple of months and use of the autopilot and A/T is required to fly an RNAV/RNP approach. We've been flying them in visual conditions to get data out and use of the automation is a must. Not sure if this is just a JetBlue thing or not, but we probably would mess them up if we didn't use the A/T because most of us have forgotten what thrust levers are for except for reverse thrust on landing.