CWS mode for hand flying the 737 ?

[basa 0]

Hello to everyone.When handflying my PMDG-737 I almost always engage CWS mode. I have found it's a fantastic way for easy aircraft control. You just select a pitch-roll attitude with the yoke and CWS maintains it. But I have two questions for you 737 experts:1.- Is CWS mode something similar to that "autotrim-flybywire" system in Airbus aircraft ?2.- Is CWS mode normally used in the real world to handfly the 737 ?Thanks. Jose Luis.

[mburkhard 23]

>1.- Is CWS mode something similar to that "autotrim-flybywire">system in Airbus aircraft ?No not at all. All that CWS does is maintaing pitch and bank. However the Airbus system does maintain a g-load and roll rate so you do not deflect elevator and ailerons directly with your stick but you command a g-load and or a roll rate and the system will then decide how much to deflect the control surfaces to achieve that. Yes autotrim is used as well but as you can see the system is much more complex. Let me know if you need further information.>2.- Is CWS mode normally used in the real world to handfly the>737 ?It depends on each pilot and or the airline on how much CWS mode is used. One of the nice things about CWS is that the airplane lies in the air very smooth as CWS is the only way to command a certain pitch to be held. LVL CHG is always chasing speed and pitching up and down, V/S is also pitching up and down to maintain the commanded V/S, but CWS is maintaining the pitch and just that. This can for example provide a smoother climb through rough wheather with lots of gust and turbulence and is prefered by some pilots in such conditions.This is just one advantage of CWS I wanted to point out. But how much it is really used for hand-flying depends on each pilot and the company's training and procedures.Hope this helps.Markus

[basa 0]

My today's PMDG-737 learning !!!Thanks very much Markus !!!Jose Luis.

[Orlaam 306]

I've always heard, at least in the US, that pilots frown upon CWS. A lot of carriers won't even install it, but maybe things have changed recently.

[basa 0]

>I've always heard, at least in the US, that pilots frown upon>CWS. A lot of carriers won't even install it, but maybe>things have changed recently.Do you know any special reason for that ?Jose Luis