B737 Climb, Cruise and Navigation

B737 SOP chapter 7, Climb, Cruise & Navigation Procedures. By the end of this chapter you can explain level-change cross-checks, the transition, RVSM and PBN requirements, and the two fuel declarations.

• 4 pages
• 44 min of reading
• 12 question chapter check
• Notes, highlights and progress saved

What this chapter covers

1. 1
   Climb discipline and level changesWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   10 min read
2. 2
   Altimetry and the transitionWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   11 min read
3. 3
   RVSM and performance-based navigationWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   12 min read
4. 4
   Cruise monitoring and fuel decisionsWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   11 min read

737 climb and cruise terms

Level bust

Flying through or away from the cleared level, often from a misheard clearance or a wrong selector setting.

1,000 ft to go call

Standard call near the assigned level, followed by watching the level capture.

Last 1,000 ft rate

ICAO recommends less than 1,500 ft per minute in the last 1,000 ft before an assigned level.

Transition altitude

The altitude at or below which vertical position is controlled by reference to altitudes.

Transition level

The lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude.

Transition layer

The airspace between the transition altitude and the transition level.

QNH, QFE and standard

QNH gives altitude above mean sea level, QFE height above the aerodrome, 1013.25 hPa gives flight levels.

Cold temperature error

In air colder than ISA the altimeter over-reads, so the aircraft is lower than indicated.

RVSM

1,000 ft vertical separation from FL290 to FL410. Primary altimeters must agree within 200 ft.

RNAV and RNP

Both specify lateral accuracy in NM. Only RNP also requires on-board monitoring and alerting.

MINIMUM FUEL

Tells ATC that any change to the clearance may lead to landing below final reserve fuel. Not an emergency.

MAYDAY FUEL

Declared when predicted landing fuel at the nearest safe aerodrome is below final reserve.

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737 climb and cruise questions