Procedures during Cruise

Chapter 18.5

CRUISE CHECK

After you have reached the cruising level (TOC) and have completed the LEVEL-OFF CRUISE procedure, stabilize the airplane in straight and level flight, then perform the CRUISE CHECK!

Cruise Power Adjustment / Flight Performance

Cruise flight performance is based on various criteria, such as airspeed or efficiency. You determine the POWER SETTING using the AFM PERFORMANCE TABLES. For longer cruise flights, these values should be periodically checked using the tables and if necessary adjust or change the power setting.

There are still other factors to consider:

• the constant decrease in mass due to fuel consumption
  

• changes due to altitude change

• changes due to outside air temperature

Percentage of performance is given in the tables, which also gives information on the given airspeed and fuel consumption for the different power settings.

Performance Charts

Approaching a CHECKPOINT, CP

The flight path connects the checkpoints / CP on the NFP, changes in direction are done over checkpoints.

ESTIMATED TIME OVER, ETO provides advance notice of a CP's approach, try to recognize it early enough with its features, and be ahead of your airplane.

Check CP based on multiple identification marks.

Overflying a Checkpoint

When overflying a CHECKPOINT, CP or a COMPULSORY REPORTING POINT, CRP, the 5-T's procedure is applied.

NFP Update

Update your NFP when you fly over the CHECKPOINT and the airplane follows the new course.

Note down the Actual Time Over / ATO.

If the difference between the ATO and the precalculated ETO is greater than 3 minutes, update the NFP based on a revised GROUNDSPEED / GS.

Check the fuel situation, if necessary, change the fuel selector to another fuel tank.

RTF in Cruise Flight

RTF with information or air traffic control shall be carried out on each frequency according to ICAO standard procedures.

COMPULSORY REPORTING POINTS are the mandatory reporting points that must be reported to air traffic control.

Update Weather Information

Keep up-to-date on the latest METEO for the route, destination and alternate aerodromes.

Sources of information are VOLMET and ATIS. Weather information not available through automatic broadcasts is to be obtained by RTF on the INFORMATION frequencies.

Passing from CRUISE to DESCENT

For flights beyond the departure aerodrome, perform the STARTING DESCENT and DESCENT CHECK procedures before exiting the cruising level. Early performance of these procedures will relieve you of this work during the periods of intense workload that will follow.

Passing from CRUISE to DESCENT

If the descent immediately leads to an approach, you can run the APPROACH CHECK after the DESCENT CHECK. Again, performing these checks in advance will relieve you of the intense workload that will follow.