These problems began happening today and so I did an uninstall and reinstall of 2010 Professional (FS9). The FMA shows the dialed in altitude (110 as an example), HDG HLD and ALT HLD rather than ALT, TAK OFF, TAK OFF even after the autothrottle is engaged. I believe I have programed the FMC correctly.

Have I had a brain lapse in my procedures, or is something wrong with the sim? Thank you!

Well, yes, it was a brain lapse (I haven't flown the MadDog in awhile). I had forgotten about arming the TOGA!!!! How stupid is that?????

It happens, your only human without another human to check you off, aka a captain or FO, about the only thing I can think of, at this time, that could help you not forget things like that are flow patterns for the aircraft you fly, you could create these yourself based on what is easy for you or you could go by an airline's pattern if you can get or have flight/ops manuals. I go by a real airline's flow and it has created more realism and helped me not forget things like pressing the TOGA buttons.

I agree Jared. The funny thing is that I don't see anything about arming the TOGA in the Checklists and Procedures, and I don't think it's shown in the tutorial. Anyway, I do use checklists when flying an aircraft of this sophistication. Thanks.

There isn't anything about the TOGA buttons in the checklists I use either, some items are what a few airlines call "assumed" like United a few years ago didn't have beacon/anti collision lights as a challenge item in their 757 and 767 before start checklist they assumed you would be smart enough to know that they need to be on prior to any aircraft movement or before starting an engine. Another thing I thought of you can use is a saying or acronym to remind yourself of the order of things to touch then once you do either or both you use the checklist to verify what you did.

Not having things on the checklist, assuming pilots will remember it seems like a very, very bad idea. That kinda defeats the whole purpose of the checklist imo

I use the FS2Crew for the Maddog. First of all the FO take care of the arming of TOGA among other things, but I feel it get's more realistic. It's a great plugin in my opinion.

Best regards
Klaus