I believe I am doing something wrong, so can someone point me on the right ahem 'course' I do apologise if this has been covered somewhere else, but I have done a search and found nothing specific to my issue. I'm doing a short flight (15-30 mins ATC dependant), so I program my FMS with a route, including departure, arrival and approach waypoints in the FPL before takeoff. Again also, as it's a short flight, I get vectored and use HDG mode for the entire flight and never enter NAV mode. With NAV1 and NAV2 set up with the ILS frequency, and in HDG mode, I press V/L once but never see the magenta pointer, I see VOR1 (green) I don't bother to press V/L again but dial the course in as I would if I had the pointer. The aircraft still captures the localiser and the glideslope. I know I'm doing something wrong but I can't put my finger on it as I never get the magenta pointer. Is it because I never entered NAV Mode? Thanks in advance for your help

Hello Richie, the magenta pointer will show when you are in the NAV mode and you start turning the course bug (if i remember well ). In heading mode, you will set the course with the green pointer. So you are not doing anything wrong, but you will have to try on a longer flight maybe, where you will be using NAV mode, once ATC has routed you on the navigation path you have entered in the FMC. Hope that helps !

Spot on Nicolas! Briefly entered the NAV mode (even though it briefly took me off the ATC assigned heading) and selected V/L and there is was! Thanking you muchly!

You're very welcome Richie. I remember asking myself the same question when I first started using the J41

the magenta pointer will show when you are in the NAV mode and you start turning the course bug (if i remember well ).

looks like i was not remembering so well so yes, the correct way to do it is: - NAV mode- press the V/L (VOR/LOC) button and the magenta pointer will show- set your course with the course bug