VNAV descent path

Arrival constraints

Review the arrival, runway, approach, minimums, weather, fuel and charted constraints. Inspect the route and discontinuities on FPL and the map.

TOD and vertical profile

Confirm PERF INIT and look for a sensible top of descent and vertical profile. After changing PERF INIT data, confirm it again before checking the recalculated profile.

Set the cleared altitude

Select the next cleared lower altitude when authorized in your simulation. FSS says VNAV respects ALT SEL in climb and descent, with GS/GP exceptions.

Read the FMA

For the FSS path descent, confirm FMS is the navigation source and LNAV and VNAV are active. Watch for magenta PTH to arm and capture when the aircraft enters the capture window.

Descent response

Compare vertical deviation, speed, thrust and altitude with the planned profile. ^{[24, 38]}