Can someone please give me some simple advice.

I am flying my 747, and I am on AP and cruising at 30,000Ft.

At what Nautical Miles from my destination should I commence my decent, and in what increments to allow for a nice smooth decent.

Thankyou.

Divide your flight level by 3 to give you the approximate distance from the target airport that you need to start a descent at 1800 fpm. For example if you are at 36,000 feet i.e. FL360, you'd start the descent at around 360/3 = 120 miles out. If you use the ATIS at the destination airport, this will tell you which landing runway is in action, and you can modify the descent accordingly.

Happy landings! 

I've posted this a couple of times before but it may be worth a re-post.
As soon as you start your descent you can easily calculate your vertical descent speed by multiplying your ground speed by 5. So if you're flying at 350kts (grounds speed) start your descent at 350*5=1750feet per min. As you get lower and you reduce your speed you should also reduce your vertical speed to maintain the descent slope. eg at 180kts you should be roughly descending at 800fpm. This rule gives you an ideal final approach speed of abouy 6 or 700 fpm. It will also make sure that if you use the 3x rule to decide when to start your descent you'll end up on the ground at the airport.
Once you get onto the ILS you may need to tweak your vspd to maintain the glideslope but it's only a rough rule. 
Good luck.

I usually begin my decent when ATC tells me, otherwise about 60 - 70 mile out if I am at high altitudes.  Desending at about 1500 to 2500 FPM.  However, I think all flights above 18,000 feet must be IFR.  Please correct me if I am wrong.  FS2002 doesn't model this, but if I remember right all flights in real life must be IFR above a certain altitude.

can anyone tell me how to use IFR ? when my aircraft is landing , no ifr tell me altitude , etc . how to use it ? paul

Just a thought S76 - isn't half * speed * 10 = 5 * speed !!

Looks like we came up with the same rule 

Quote:


That is assuming it is a 3 degree approach. Most approaches are but some, such as one of those at London City (although you shouldn't be flying a 747 into London City), are 5 degree approaches because of obstructions. Then of course, theres that one in Albania... 747, anyone?

My suggestion is... To start your descent before you actually try and put it on the ground!