I know this may seem like a silly question but can't figure out what is the main difference between using the heading knob on the autopilot or using the course knob. What is the difference and when would you use one vs the other. Thanks for any help.

Your question isn´t that silly. I´ll try to give you the answer: The heading knob (HDG) represents the real direction of the plane, it says in which direction you want to fly or evertually are flying. The course knob (CRS) is showing the cousre for ILS approaches (e.g. 043 for ILS 4L in Helsinki) or the radial you want to fly on an VOR. But the CRS knob is mainly used in the ILS approaches. There it´s essential that you´ve applied the right course or you will have a missed approach.I hope I could help you a bit. If some other things are unclear to you, don´t hesitate to ask.

Your question isn´t that silly. I´ll try to give you the answer: The heading knob (HDG) represents the real direction of the plane, it says in which direction you want to fly or evertually are flying. The course knob (CRS) is showing the cousre for ILS approaches (e.g. 043 for ILS 4L in Helsinki) or the radial you want to fly on an VOR. But the CRS knob is mainly used in the ILS approaches. There it´s essential that you´ve applied the right course or you will have a missed approach.I hope I could help you a bit. If some other things are unclear to you, don´t hesitate to ask.

Think I understand. The hdg I'm flying I've set with the hdg knob. Now if I preset the runway heading with the course knob thats going to show me how I want to intercept that heading. Close?

Year, you got it! The course knob is mainly for getting the ILS (LOC) signal alligned with the right runway course, so that you know wheather you are too far left or right.

Heading is the direction the aeroplane is pointing.Course is the desired track either to or from a VOR or ILS navigation aid.Al

Think of it as HDG (the direction the nose is pointing)CRS (The direction you actually want to go!)So when you set your course OBS knob you must change your heading until your heading and course are the same. NOT forgetting wind sheer which will sometimes put your HDG/CRS out by as much as 10deg.vololiberista

There is no end of help out there on flight sim sites, they really are worth searching. Try "Flightsim.com" "Surcarlo.com" as well as Avsim or type your question into Google. Even stuff on YouTube. Example herewith _ http://www.flightsim...n/howto/ils.htm. Hope this helps.

Just to be clear, the CRS knob has nothing to do with ILS.If the autopilot is set to HDG the plane will turn to match the magnetic heading set with the HDG knob. Note that this will not be the direction the plane will track unless there is no wind.The CRS knob would be labeled OBS in smaller planes and is used to select a specific radial to/from a VOR (if the GPS/NAV switch is set to NAV).The plane will not track that radial unless the autopilot is set to NAV.If NAV1 is receiving an ILS localizer the CDI needle will show you your relationship to the localizer regardless of what setting you have for the CRS knob. For help with spatial orientation it helps to set the CRS knob on the runway heading, but it is not required.This is more critical in a plane equipped with an HSI. If the CRS setting is 180^o from the runway heading the needle deflection will appear to be reversed, If you are tracking an ILS with a VOR receiver instead of an HSI simply ignore the CRS setting and fly to the needle.The HDG knob allows the pilot to point the plane in a specific direction, but does nothing in terms of telling a pilot where he is.The CRS knob will help the pilot determine where he is, but does little to help fly the plane anywhere except directly to/from a VOR on a specific radial.regards,Joe