Methods and systems are provided for engaging a vertical navigational descent (VNAV/DES) mode of a flight management system (FMS) for an aircraft. The method comprises retrieving a preset vertical navigation (VNAV) profile for a descent path of the aircraft that is stored in the FMS. The current flight path angle (FPA) and vertical speed (VS) of the aircraft is determined and intercept parameters are calculated to intercept the preset VNAV profile with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS. The intercept parameters are calculated based on the current FPA and VS and displayed to an aircrew member of the aircraft on a visual display device. The aircrew member is allowed to accept the intercept parameters with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS.