B737-400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
There seems to be an issue with the 737-400 fleet when cleared via the Anchorage 6 departure [off Runway 32] in conjunction with the relatively new routing to Fairbanks--ANC J115 FAI. I have flown this route three times this month; each time in a 737-400; and the same issue happened each time when we program the Anchorage six departure and the ANC J115 FAI route in the FMS before departure and carefully verify each point. Shortly after liftoff when we engage the LNAV function expecting the LNAV to fly the Anchorage six departure the Anchorage six departure is no longer present in the FMS routing; it simply disappears-it's gone. The aircraft reverts to heading select and the flight directors simply point where the heading selector happens to be. I do not know if the same problem happens in the NG fleet as well. I do not know the cause; or why; the programmed departure is no longer available in the FMS following departure. The fact the Anchorage VOR was recently moved to a new physical location may have some bearing on this issue.
A B737-400 Captain was confused by his FMC's failure to direct the jet via the ANCHORAGE SID off Runway 32 at PANC.