After just trying CWS out for the first time with all the latest HFes, it certainly performs more to expectations than the first time I tried it. Pressing the CWS on the MCP works as expected, the annunciations are correct, and I can control the aircraft wonderfully with CWS trimming the aircraft to meet he attitude changes I am commanding via the control stick. I have yet to try the descending CWS P to see if it blows the alt restriction on the MCP (this is in CWSP with a CMD channel on), nor have I tried to see if it captures the heading on the MCP, but there is definate improvement in its implementation so far since the release day version.

As far as I understand it, the same thing is supposed to work with the HDG setting on the MCP, that CWS R is supposed to automatically go to HDG SEL mode when reaching the HDG set on the MCP, much like how it works with the VOR/LOC, which works like a charm. I believe it is also suposed to fall out of CWS P when the G/S is captured as well, although I admit I have not tried that particular thing.

It won't capture a heading. It'll capture LOCs and VOR courses, but not a heading. That's what heading mode is for. It'll do circles until you run out of fuel.

I thought I recalled reading that CWS R would intercept a heading like it would a Vor or localizer, but after reading again, it appears I was very wrong on that and ineed it will just fly in circles, so CWS is working correctly in that regard as well. Thanks for the heads up.

I've got it now, I understand the CWS, it's realy helpfull if you fly manually...I'm gonna use this method for always..

I've got it now, I understand the CWS, it's realy helpfull if you fly manually...I'm gonna use this method for always..

It is nice for training purposes but hardly ever used in real life. It can teach you to follow the Flight Directors guidance until you get more experience. Enjoy. Fred.

It is nice for training purposes but hardly ever used in real life. It can teach you to follow the Flight Directors guidance until you get more experience.

I agree with the hardly ever used part, but . . . Follow the FD? In CWS? Don't they disappear?

I agree with the hardly ever used part, but . . . Follow the FD? In CWS? Don't they disappear?

Of course not !! That's presuming they are on and an autopilot was engaged before entering CWS.

Of course not !! That's presuming they are on and an autopilot was engaged before entering CWS.

Like we said, it's rarely used. When I've seen it, it's usually because something has dropped out, eg. VNAV disconnect, and the pitch bar disappears. So, if we've got both pitch and roll guidance, but we actually hit the CWS button, the F/Ds stay? When do the bars stay and when do they disappear?

Hi Matt, Example : We are in the following config : MCP speed (250)>>>Heading Sel 200>>>Alt Hold 5000 FD mode with bars of course NO CMD 1-push CWS>>>engage CWS R and CWS P the bars stay because you have allways Heading and Alt lighting. Now push the heading sel button to deactive it, you can see the vertical bar disappearing. For the horizontal bar it's more subtil because you can't deactived it with the Alt Hold button except if you deactive and reactive FD. But I doubt it's a correct procedure (I don't know) 2-Same config except we are in CMD mode. The fact to override pitch or roll with the yoke will result to deactive Roll and/or Alt mode, then in this case the respective bars disappear. To conclude : when Hdg and/or Alt ENGAGED>>>bars are there when HDG and/or Alt DISENGAGED>>>bars disappearAlso works in the same way with or not CWS For me the problem seems it's impossible to override with yoke in negative pitch when Alt Hold engaged. I related that in an other post...Don't know if it's clear Hope this help Regards, Richard Portier

It is nice for training purposes but hardly ever used in real life. It can teach you to follow the Flight Directors guidance until you get more experience. Enjoy. Fred.

A couple of questions: 1. Are you saying that fully manual control of roll and pitch modes is more common than CWS-R or CWS-P respectively ? 2. When in CWS-P mode, the NGX will climb to an altitude higher than what's set on the MCP.....working as designed/intended ? Thanks,Zach

Very informative thread ... thanks everyone

A couple of questions: 1. Are you saying that fully manual control of roll and pitch modes is more common than CWS-R or CWS-P respectively ? 2. When in CWS-P mode, the NGX will climb to an altitude higher than what's set on the MCP.....working as designed/intended ? Thanks,Zach

1. YES !! ( but using the FD for guidance ) 2. YES !! ( But using the FD for guidance ) A great way to get some good practise for manual flying is to enter a route into the CDUand manually fly that route with LNAV and VNAV engaged !!FD's and autothrottle on but obviously NO autopilot.Let the flight director bars guide you for the Pitch and Roll. This is what the FD's are for in manual flight...................Guidance !!!! This might help also !! http://forum.avsim.net/topic/348649-trying-to-manually-fly-vnav-via-the-fd-is-tough-because/ Have fun !! Fred.