Evening all.I notice the 737, 777 and Learjet all have a CRS heading on the panel, but the 747 doesn't.Can someone please tell me the purpose of this, as opposed to the HDG box.I use the CRS as a reminder of what my final approach heading will be, however I'm guessing Boeing didn't design it for those with a short memory....And why doesn't the 747 have one?How does it get around not having what I presume is a rather important piece of nav aid?ThanksAllblack

Allblack,Going off the top of my head here, but I believe the spot to select the course for the autopilot in the default 747-400 is in the upper right corner of the HSI (the instrument with the turning compass rose). The heading selector allows the autopilot to lock the airplane in as best it can on whichever heading you've selected. However, this type of autopilot operation is subject to winds that can blow you off course even though you think you're on the right heading to your destination.The CRS selector allows you to home in on a particular radial of a Very high frequency Omni Range station/beacon (VOR). If you are approaching that VOR station directly from its magnetic south, you'll know if you're being blown off course because that signal doesn't move though you might. Again, the CRS selector lets the autopilot use the information from your instruments to guide the plane over the exact path you want towards the VOR station. Like you said, too, it also helps you when tracking an Instrument Landing System (ILS) signal to see which heading represents the centerline of the runway you're approaching for a landing.KevinEDIT: Sorry, just added a little more info.