PMDG 737-700 for MSFS - Tutorial: RNAV Approach (using LNAV/VNAV) TNCM

Hi all, I'm a PMDG tech team member and real life 737 pilot. Here is my next video in the 737 tutorial series.
In this tutorial I will show you how to fly an RNAV approach using LNAV and VNAV.
The video has been taken using a pre-release beta version of the product, so you can expect to see some issues that will be fixed before release. There's no need to point those out as the team will be aware and working on them already. For example the trim sound is not yet implemented.
If you like my videos please consider a small donation as it's taking a lot of time and effort to create these.
www.buymeacoffee.com/737NGDriver
And if you really love the videos, consider becoming a Patron:
/ 737ngdriver
These tutorials are not designed as absolute beginner tutorials. It is expected that the viewer already has basic experience with airliners and knows the basics how to operate an aircraft.
Instead these tutorials will focus on the 737NG as an aircraft and the particularities of how to operate it.
I'll be closing this introduction by saying that I'm not a professional KZbinr or Streamer quite yet and these videos are my very first that actually get more than a hundret clicks. I have never before created such content so bear with me for doing beginner mistakes.
I record straight from the sim without any fancy stuff going on in the background.
Tools and addons used in this video:
Flight Plan (OFP): magentacloud.de/s/trxpwwwofWc...
SimToolKitPro: simtoolkitpro.co.uk/
Navigraph Charts: navigraph.com/
Simbrief Flightplanning: www.simbrief.com/home/
St Maarten scenery:
Nvidia Shadowplay
Windows Movie Maker
My system specs:
Intel i9-9900k@5,2GHz
RTX3080Ti
32GB RAM
Windows 10 Pro
My hardware:
Thrustmaster Boeing Yoke and Throttle
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog
Thrustmaster Pendular Pedals

[@scootermason2746]

I’ve watched every video and enjoyed every bit of it and personally wanted to thank you so much for everything you’ve shared. I’ve been in FS since 98. I do have my Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating. I don’t get to fly much so I keep my skills in MSFS all previous versions. I retired as a Capt firefighter and Medic after 32 years however I’m at KXNA as ARFF firefighter for the airport and love watching the aircraft taxi by my station it’s so cool. Have a great day! Scooter.

[@A330Driver]

Great story, thank you for your services!

[@beescan22]

Very happy to have the outstanding information provided in this video. Clears up a lot of my misunderstanding of other RNav approaches I have witnessed on other channels (wrong info was provided there). Your videos are very thorough, professional and provide the best possible operation of systems. Thanks for your time and effort in producing these, appreciate it tremendously.

[@joe8617]

Yeah man, to add to the other comments, you're really good at explaining things in a way that I can learn while watching. I love some other people doing this but yours really stand out. Thanks.

[@nordicgamer1468]

I have to watch the video several times to understand the theory behind the approaches, But you explain things in a very understandable way, Thank you so much!

[@nicholashardie-sowash3034]

Another invaluable video, didn’t realise you have to programme the QNH. I was on approach and realised I was far too low and couldn’t understand why the VNAV wasn’t working properly. Just landed at RW06 Melbourne Intl. and this was executed beautifully. Thanks again 💪🏽💪🏽

[@yams900]

That was quite technical and a lot to remember, practice makes it perfect :)

[@laurentbouchereau3157]

I really appreciate how simple and informative your videos are. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@A330Driver]

Thank you so much!

[@AirplaneGuyX]

Excellent video, easily understandable. Thank you! Would like to add one point, 3:58 you had mentioned that with lower QNH set (instead of correct one) we fly lower. With lower QNH we actually fly higher. Wrong higher QNH is what can get us in to the obstacles. Thank you!

[@loic4018]

Thank you very much for these clear presentations. Your English is perfectly audible, almost no need for the translation! Merci beaucoup 👍

[@A330Driver]

Merci!

[@Max_Holton]

Grate videos! Im Watching the tutorials in preparation for 737 Xbox release

[@cerpogaming6746]

Very valuable tutorials. Thanks a lot for these.

[@ChaosHamsterG]

Thank you for entertaining me at midnight when my mind is cleared!

[@yams900]

Thx champ ! Really appreciate your KZbin tutorials :)

[@sadbucket]

twas the prog page 4 I was looking for, thank you

[@chrissugg968]

Turn your anisotropic filtering up to maximum in the graphics options. It costs almost no performance, but will make the runway markings look so much clearer when viewed from a low angle.

[@roxout5743]

the NVIDIA anisotropic is also so much better, disable the built in setting and use the control panel setting instead (if you have a nvidia card of course)

[@joelkraft5413]

These tutorials are awesome. I have a question perhaps you could clarify. You say when the Runway is not a waypoint, you have to reset the autopilots and then you do so prior to landing.. but earlier in the video at 2:42, it looks like RW10 is a waypoint. What am I missing? Thanks!

[@typhoonul985]

excellent tutorial, I will explain by giorgio how to perform these procedures, I unfortunately do not speak English well, congratulations for the tutorials

[@KeffelewAssefa]

Thank you very much.

[@corvusfrugilegus979]

Thank you for your many ever so educating tutorial videos! At this one I'm a littke confused, though, concerning the recycling of the FDs. You said to recycle them as there was no RW waypoint in the FMC. So I scrolled back to the beginning of the video, and I could clearly see one. Did I missunderstand something?

[@peterspatz6918]

I'm impressed, PMDG as always did a good job. I'll wait for the 800, and inbetween how the aircraft performance is. If it would be a slideshow on my rig, it doesn't make fun.

[@A330Driver]

I'm sure you won't be disappointed! If you can run the FBW A320 then you can also run the 737!

[@lucasleite1295]

Great video. It will be very helpful for us if you make tutorials about NADP 1/2, RNP AR and IAN.

[@A330Driver]

ANP AR will have to wait until the 737 is actually capable of RF Legs, but that'll come. Eventually. IAN will be covered soon and I'll see if I can fit the NADP's in as well.

[@Boeing777FR]

Hello, thank you very much for your explanations. I have a question: I was flying a RNP approach for runway 04L at LFMN and I was given vectors by the ATC. When he cleared me to the RNP approach I never could tick the LNAV button back on. I clicked on it so much time but it never came back. I think there's something I did wrong but what ? There was only the honrizontal magenta line on the FD.

[@Hadalson]

Hi Buddy, would we be able to get your in-game graphics settings please? Would be very thankful!

[@dishantlalwani]

captain when exactly do you set the missed approach altitude I didn't understand clearly is it that you need to be at least 300ft below the missed approach altitude to set the missed approach altitude on the mcp ?? let me know please thank you

[@captainduggo6084]

According to the PFD, your altitude gauge was set to 4000 ft. How did you get the aircraft to descend *below* 4000 feet? Thanks.

[@reticentsimmer]

I sometimes get a flashing "A" symbol in the speed window when trying to slow the aircraft down. Why is that?

[@ersaviation3031]

What do you do if the descent angle is 3.00 but the aircraft is flying 2.68?

[@kam_a3216]

Captain - i am new to Boeing having come from the Toliss Airbus world. I noticed you did not arm the APPR. is that not necessary in the 737? - Many thanks

[@gsveeb]

Hello! Another great video. I'm learning quite a bit from you on how to operate the PMDG 737, so thank you for that. Just wondering though if you can click the little triangle 🔺️ on the Navigraph charts during your flight so that it can show the current position of the aircraft in relation to the chart. That would help a lot. Thanks! 🙂

[@A330Driver]

Will think about it, we don't have the position on our charts in real life either, so I never bothered using that feature in my sim.

[@gsveeb]

@@A330Driver Ah, understood. Might be good for situational awareness for novices like me though 😊

[@bramkrabben]

So basically after the missed approach point it’s an visual landing without like guidance ?

[@benw5470]

Can you please do a setup video? Looks like they gave us a lot of options as far as pfd, systems display ext. Would be nice to see what your airline has setup.

[@A330Driver]

Under consideration, but I'll first see if RSR from PMDG is doing one. It would be typical for him to actually do one covering the options and I don't want to create double content.

[@slicker55]

Thanks Emanuel... first, congrats on your new job, I'm sure you will make short work of getting your new type rating but, remember, if you need extra help, there are some great video's on KZbin LOL Thanks also another detailed tutorial... doing my best to get to grips with PMDG 737-800 and learning so much from your video's... this one has raised my confidence to perform RNAV approaches except for the part where you explain setting the 'missed approach altitude' ... sorry, I have played this part several times but I'm still confused...

[@A330Driver]

When at the top of the white band (or 300ft above your minimums, if higher) set the MAA.

[@slicker55]

@@A330Driver Thanks... just to clarify, are you referring to the top of the vertical white line (immediately to the left of the QNH) or the slightly thicker white horizontal line adjacent to where is says 1000 (both are just coming into view at 11:45 / 15:01)?

[@A330Driver]

@@slicker55 The one which corresponds to 1000ft above field elevation.

[@slicker55]

@@A330Driver Got it now ... thanks again

[@Guillaume.57]

Another great video, thank you so much. I might be wrong but at 4:00 you say « if the QNH set is 10 hpa lower » you maybe would say « if the airport QNH is 10 hpa lower » I could be wrong saying that but it’s more logical for me this way. I’m just begining so every explanation is welcome.

[@A330Driver]

You're absolutely right, I confused the two it seems. Will have to see if I can still edit the video somehow.

[@aaryansharma9878]

I had a question, can we change the PFD and ND brightness in the 737? Also can you please upload RNP or VOR approach tutorial?

[@A330Driver]

Yes you can! RNP works the same as RNAV; indeed it's only a different word for the same thing. VOR will come, but you fly it the same way as the RNAV.

[@angeljimenezgarcia666]

I already loaded an RNAV paroximation but my plane does not follow the airway with the autopilot. It won't let me put Vnav and LNAV. because?  Feedback Web Result with Site Links  Google Translate

[@gosherkerr9563]

MY GP IN THE FMC NEVER GETS EVEN CLOSE TO THE ONE ON THE CHART THIS PLANE CANNOT RNAV PLEASE HELP :(

[@CockpitSimAviation]

Amazing cockpit sounds ! does it sound like a real cockpit now?

[@A330Driver]

Pretty close I'd say. I'd actually have to plug my ProFlight Headset in to see what it sounds like from under the headset!

[@CaptainCarter1]

Can you do it at San Diego (RNP27)

[@ronniepertuit986]

Great video. I had only a few places where I did not understand what was being said. One of these is at the time stamp 11:00. "Setting the missed approach altitude at the top of the ??? (sounded like wide bar)." Can anyone clarify?

[@A330Driver]

“White bar”, referring to the bar on the altimeter.

[@kartal2339]

Hi... Thanks for all of this video... Should we use app button or altitude restriction for rnav approach? What do you prefer in real life?

[@A330Driver]

Hi, depends on airline SOP. Many 737s don't even have IAN mode fitted so you're forced to use LNAV VNAV anyway.

[@Vejiita45]

Great video. Could you perform any kind of review regarding the 737-700 from PMDG? I'm wondering how do you rate in in terms of "study level" aircraft.

[@A330Driver]

Will do once it's released. However since I'm part of the tech team it will definitely be biased.

[@Vejiita45]

@@A330Driver Thanks for the reply. I am waiting for the next videos, great stuff!

[@flyguy54]

Great tutorial. Where is it indicated that the speed brake is armed?

[@flyguy54]

Reply to self. Disregard. I finally saw the green indication.

[@pushingtin207]

Didn't understand what u meant when we set the missed app alt when we are at least 300ft below it?..MAP alt is 4000ft...u were at 1520 ft when u set the mcp alt to 4000???

[@MrVazsholik]

Nice landing… its almost like your a pro😅

[@Agent-OO]

Great videos, I've watched up until this one at least 5x. Quick question, what do we enter in the US for qnh on the decent page? I tried 3002 and it would not accept.

[@A330Driver]

Thanks! It's 30.02

[@Agent-OO]

@@A330Driver Thank you for replying kind sir! I tried 3002, 30.02 and /30.02. None worked but I'm sure it's user error as I'm still very much learning. I'll try it again this afternoon!

[@ridemalibu5901]

Thank you for all the instruction you give us! Quick question, on the final approach course you say that there is no runway waypoint, but am I mistaken that “RW10” was set in the flight computer on final? Is that different than a runway waypoint that the computer may use for flight flight directors?

[@A330Driver]

What's important is that you have the RW waypoint in the LEGS page, that's where the FD can navigate. If it's not part of the procedure DO NOT insert it manually just to get FD guidance! There will be a reason why it's not in there in first place. You probably saw the RW10 in the FIX page, that's something different though and only for drawing the rings, nothing else. The FD can't use that.

[@ridemalibu5901]

I saw it at 12:22 on the LEGS page of FO CDU. That is where I got confused. Thank you for clarifying the procedure, it all makes sense now.

[@ChrisRie]

Was also a little bit confused by that (See RW Waypoint in legs page at 3:35) but I guess we got the meaning due to the proper explanation! Thanks for that :)

[@ben433]

I’m still a bit confused by this part. I think the real key is whether the approach has vertical guidance (LNAV/VNAV or RNP AR vs. LNAV only). But for any RNAV approach I can find, there is always a waypoint labeled RWYXX, even when there is not vertical guidance. So I don’t think that’s the way to tell the difference. I think a new video about the various types of RNAV approaches would be very helpful. Thanks for these tutorials-I’ve learned a ton about this plane!

[@allisonkreutzberg6079]

@@A330Driver Any chance you could do a video or series about all the types of RNAV approaches like @Ben was saying? It looks to me like the question is vertical guidance rather than waypoints. Thanks!

[@tomstravels520]

Have you done the IAN video?

[@loic4018]

One day it would be nice to see you negotiate the RNP 22 at Nice LFMN. She impresses me.

[@A330Driver]

Once the new LNAV model is in I will certainly consider it!

[@goblinerteit]

@@A330DriverPlz do the 22 at Nice🤓

[@ls_gaming606]

Hi, weißt du zufällig ob d zB die Rapid decompression Checklist oder die „Normale Checklist“ dabei ist, also morgen bei der 737?

[@A330Driver]

Hi, das Quick Reference Handbook (wo die Notfallchecklisten drin sind), ist leider nicht dabei. Boeing hat keine Lizenz mehr erteilt soweit ich das weiß.

[@ls_gaming606]

Schade aber vielleicht kommt es ja noch

[@Doggepe]

Can you adjust engine sound level? As you would know the real thing is much quieter engine wise, this sounds like you are inside a hairdryer

[@A330Driver]

You can change them to your linking by adjusting the default MSFS sound sliders.

[@chaveza25]

are we going to be able to use the Airbus Joystick with this one?

[@A330Driver]

Yes

[@adixen5461]

When do you tell cabin crew to be seated for landing?

[@A330Driver]

latest 6NM from the runway

[@brandonchappell1535]

This is driving me crazy, but everytime i disarm the A/T i get that siren (as you did on approach), but i couldnt see how you stopped it? ive tried master caution but it keeps going until i exit the flight?! ... great video series btw, i have SO much to learn on this plane!

[@A330Driver]

Just press the button again

[@enriqueosuna]

@@A330Driver which button? Master Caution or the A/T switch?

[@haukestelzer8424]

@@enriqueosuna AT Switch

[@andrefimenko]

In other words, this is just a visual landing after the AP guides you to the last point?

[@A330Driver]

Like any approach except for CAT II/III

[@aviationchris5091]

is there an option in the FMC to enable IAN ?

[@A330Driver]

No. It's enabled by default.

[@killsapm8883]

Wow, they still have some big bugs on the FMC. To be noted the GP requirement of 3 degrees slope, in this case, is correct as you mentioned but, it's from the FAF LESOR to MAPTON (MAP) not from MAPTON. That's not what you gonna see on the legs page, it's part of the DBASE. The other odd issue is the VSD showing incorrect information, especially since the A/C is tracking away from the airport (FCOM SWATH indications) They still need lots of work and you need to choose another APP where FAF is depicted with a correct descend angle, not from the MAP. Otherwise, nice work, nothing personal.

[@A330Driver]

Indeed the FMC always shows the descend angle all the way to the runway. We have a couple of NPAs in our schedules in real life as well where this is the case and the airplane always draws the angle all the way to the runway. On the VSD as well as in the LEGS page. Your're right regarding the swath, some more corrections are needed on that.

[@killsapm8883]

@@A330Driver I'm very glad that you didn't take it personally. They have an issue with this FAF and defining it, as an example as can be seen here, they have it defined always from the last wpt before the rwy and also they associate with it a GP. Correct was from the LESSOR (FAF) to have that 3 degrees slope, not from MAPTON. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent product but they are stubborn in fixing certain issues for years. I was expecting these known issues for so many years to be fixed. You guys have some interesting SOPS, keep up the good work, nice job.

[@mats-c-133]

The aircraft stopped completely, but the speed still shows 45 kts, is it normal in real life?

[@A330Driver]

That's normal. At less than 45kt the pitot probes can't measure the speed reliably anymore, therefore the minimum speed shown on the PFD is 45kt. You need to look at the groundspeed below that.

[@mats-c-133]

@@A330Driver Thank you for your explanation. Could you please also make a video demonstrates a landing with full autoland mode (incl. autoflare)?

[@Deaddream97]

Can somebody pls help me and tell me how do you change the gs?

[@A330Driver]

You don't. It comes from the database.

[@Deaddream97]

@@A330Driver does gp differ from gs?

[@jarzo9259]

What are the conditions for IMC?

[@A330Driver]

Cloudbase less than 1000ft (FEW and SCT don't count as cloudbase), or visibility less than 5km.

[@georgebarlowr]

I don't know if it is just me, but at some parts of the video the cockpit looked overly blue ( 9:32 ), is it supposed to look like this? I was under the impression that the cockpit resembles a more grey tone.

[@A330Driver]

That's how MSFS's HDR works. The cockpit itself got the correct color, but with a lot of blue influence from the blue sky and ocean it'll look a bit more blue. Just like in grey and rainy skies everything will look more grey and darker. It's really nice when you see it in action in the sim!

[@hairsiluet]

🛫💪🏻💪🏻🤩😍

[@MrJur97]

Could you share your msfs settings?

[@A330Driver]

Pretty much all at HIGH to ULTRA HIGH.

[@MrJur97]

@@A330Driver danke! Really liked your stream mate!

[@kobuspool3392]

I really love your vids. I do however think we need more in depth tutorials. 737 will become very popular and we need someone to lead the way like 320simpilot does for the A320. You can help with that.

[@A330Driver]

Even more indepth than what I've done arleady? How far would you like me to into detail?

[@kobuspool3392]

Please don’t take me as ungrateful. I would like to see a full tutorial on things like autopilot, lights etc, slowly.

[@junenilsenbakke5722]

@@A330Driver The discussion regarding the possible altitude capture was too rushed for me. I needed more step by step.

[@History-sd2mk]

possible release next weekend?

[@hengst]

This Monday May 9th

[@A330Driver]

Definite release next Monday!

[@aarndub0760]

What the sound at 9:45

[@A330Driver]

It's the Altitude Alterter, alerting me that I'm 800ft from the selected target altitude.

[@spiritzm]

+1

[@sgtbazza3632]

Noob question... what is the keyboard button for turning on VNAV?

[@A330Driver]

I'm not aware of one, but have never really searched for one either.