I have studied the numerous cockpit videos from justplanes and also the Pilotseye series.

 

What is the constant reference to FLT DIR during the take off phase referring to? Is this connected to fly-by-wire or is it something less extraordinary like we are used to from Boeing?

 

Many thanks!

 

 

Its referring to having the FLT DIR armed for the departure so the pilots can accurately fly it and then switch over control to the AP if needed.

 

FLT DIR simply computes and displays the proper pitch and bank angles required for the aircraft to follow a selected path. It does this by overlaying the information on the Primary Flight Display (PFD)

Thank you for your answer

 

I am an experience NGX(PMDG not real life) pilot, so I know what a FLT DIR does, but why is this highlighted on the checklists for the 777? I think I also heard during other stages of flight

The F/D is the 'brains' behind the 'muscles' of the A/P. Even when flying manually (A/P off) pilots mostly rely on the indications of the F/D. AFAIK the F/D is actually active and not just armed during T/O.

 

Not sure about the emphasis on the F/D with the T7 - could it be related to stuff like tail strike avoidance with the longer fuselage, as the indications of the F/D should prevent the pilots from overpitching the aircraft on rotation, maybe?!?

 

 

but why is this highlighted on the checklists for the 777?

 

I suppose it is put in so that autoflight computers actually compute. I have it in my 737 checklist as well.

Probably just confirming the flight mode they are/should be in, the PFD in the 777 states FLT DIR while the 737 NG's PFD just has FD.

The autopilot can work without the FD on though can't it? It's only there to give visual guidance to the pilots on what the AP would do to match the specified parameters.

 

Could be wrong here though

The autopilot can work without the FD on though can't it? It's only there to give visual guidance to the pilots on what the AP would do to match the specified parameters.

 

Could be wrong here though

I believe you need to FLT DIR on in the NG to use the autopilot.  I may be wrong though.

I believe you need to FLT DIR on in the NG to use the autopilot.  I may be wrong though.

 

No you dont. Its just a visual cue system.

That's why this fabulous development group provides those precision manuals:  

 

(Accentuation is mine.)

 

"If you set the autopilot engagement limitations to REALISTIC,

then you must be within a small margin of “in trim” (no control

forces required to keep airplane on desired path) and the flight

director should be nearly centered and you cannot be actively

trimming. If you violate any of these you will see CWS_R or

CWS_P displayed as the roll or pitch mode…."

Indeed if you engage the autopilot without the flight directors on, the AFDS will revert to CWS R and CWS P. However, you should then be able to engage any of the regular modes without the flight director switch in the on position or the flight director bars displayed. The only exception to this is if you press the TO/GA switch which will always bring up the flight director bars.

I fly the NGX with the realistic F/D settings, and if the aircraft is not properly trimmed, you cannot fly by auto pilot in LNAV and VNAV.

 

But since you activate both of these modes on the ground in the 777, I thought there might be something extra I didn't know about...

Not every airline has "FLT DIR" on the checklist.

 

I have not seen the videos you are refering to so I dont know what they are talking about, what the situation is, etc.....so I I dont know what their fuzz is about.

 

Other than...you would want that FD on for guidance (helps reduce workload).

 

The 777 FD is pretty much the same for the pilot as on any other aircraft.

Except that you can/should arm it before take off.

 

The AP works just fine without the FD.

And the fly by wire system works just fine without the FD.

(during a visual approach for example you can turn the FD off and all systems AFDS/Fly by Wire System work just as always. The AFDS can be (re)engaged at any time. Or during a raw data ILS approach, same thing)

Will FLT DIR bars only display if / or does LNAV VNAV have to be armed?

Lnav/Vnav does not have to be armed.

 

The FD engages in TOGA/TOGA (for both pitch and roll) when the TOGA button is pressed for take off. you can then (usually after passing 400ft) change to anything you want, Lnav or HDG, Vnav or VS, etc.