Cruise & Descent

CRUISE THRUST

As cruise altitude and airspeed are reached, gradually level the aircraft and smoothly retard the throttles to the EPR shown for the existing altitude and weight on the Cruise Thrust Setting chart.

AUTOPILOT OPERATION

The minimum altitude for engaging the autopilot is 1.100 feet AFE. When engaging, the aircraft should be in a wings level attitude.

AIR CONDITIONING AND PRESSURIZATION CONTROL

If aircraft cruising altitude is changed, select the new altitude in the flight altitude window of the automatic electronic controller, and the new cabin altitude in the electronic standby controller.

Open the pack cooling doors as required to maintain 45C pack demperature during descent. Ensure that the doors are fully open prior to flap extension.

FUEL FEED CONFIGURATIONS

There are 3 different fuel feed procedures that must be applied depending on the fuel quantity in each tank.

NO. 2 TANK TO ALL ENGINES

This procedure is used when the fuel quantity in tank No. 2 is greater than in tanks No. 1 and No. 3.

To feed all engines from the No. 2 tank simultaneously,

  • Turn the four No. 2 tank boost pumps ON.

  • Open all three crossfeed valves.

  • Turn the four outboard tank (No. 1 and No. 3) boost pumps OFF.

  • Check that the fuel used is from No. 2 tank only.

TANK-TO-ENGINE

This procedure is used when the fuel quantity in all tanks is equal.

The tank-to-engine configuration isolates each engine to its respective main tank.

  • Turn all eight main tank boost pumps ON.

  • Close No. 1 and No. 3 crossfeed valves.

  • Open No. 2 crossfeed valve to keep the manifold pressurized.

  • Check that the fuel used is approximately equal from all tanks.

In the basic tank-to-engine configuration, the No. 2 crossfeed valve switch is normally open. This pressurizes the manifold and makes an alternate source of fuel available to any other engine simply by opening its crossfeed valve.

BALANCING NO. 1 AND NO. 3 TANKS

To balance the fuel in No. 1 and No. 3 tanks,

  • Open No. 1 and No. 3 crossfeed valves.

  • Close No. 2 crossfeed valve.

  • Turn the two boost pumps OFF in tank No. 1 or No. 3, whichever has the lowest fuel quantity.

  • Check that the fuel usage is as desired by quantity gage decrease.

FUEL HEAT

When indicated fuel temperature is 0C or colder, operate fuel heaters for one minute each during the following conditions:

  • When any icing light comes on.

  • During descent for landing.

DESCENT SPEEDS

Cruise Mach/290 kts to 10.000 ft.

SPEED BRAKES

Use speed brakes in lieu of flaps when high rates of descent are desired or when simultaneous speed and altitude reductions are required to comply with ATC clearances.

Speed brakes should not be used below 1.500 feet AGL or when airspeed is 200 knots or less. For speeds of 200 knots or less, extend gear and flaps to control speed.

When operating speed brakes, observe the following:

  • Flaps must be up when speed brakes are extended.

  • Use full speed brake extension only, not an intermediate setting.

Normally, plan initial flap extension at 200 knots.

ALTIMETER SETTING

Set both pilots' altimeter, the cabin altimeter as follows:

UNITED STATES, CANADA, PUERTO RICO, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND GUAM

On descent, change from standard, 29.92 in.Hg., to local altimeter setting when descending through flight level 180 or lowest usable flight level.

MEXICO

Change from QNE to QNH when descending through FL195.

ALL OTHER LOCATIONS

On descent, change from standard, 1013 hectopascals/millibars, to local altimeter setting (QNH) when leaving a flight level for an assigned altitude below the transition level.

HOLDING SPEEDS

Above 14.000 feet hold clean using the Hold chart speed. At and below 14.000 feet hold clean at 210 knots or VREF+70, whichever is higher.

When approach clearance is received or approach is imminent, extend flaps on schedule for normal approach procedures.

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