Control Wheel Steering Disengages

[Halwatk 0]

When trying to use Control Wheel Steering (CWS) during an approach, it disengages after a few seconds

 

Halwatk.

[downscc 1,327]

Please note that PMDG has pinned forum rules and they want our full names on all posts here.

Are you using CWS P or R? Why?  The FCTM talks about control wheel steering in the older -300 and -500 but not in the NG models where VNAV is available. It should not be disengaging, I don't know if that is just a problem never found in  5 years of use because no one has tried it before or maybe something is bumping the trim in your controller.  The only place CWS is mentioned in the FCTM is for reducing pilot workload during a climb without A/P by using CWS P mode.  Interesting, I'd like to hear how you are using it and why.

[Spin737 102]

I don't think CWS works once you have LOC/GS capture.  

[downscc 1,327]

That makes sense.  I just used CWS on a B739 descent into Austin-Bergstrom and it worked as expected, but I didn't use it on the RNP17L approach.

[Halwatk 0]

It was just an experiment "outside the normal". I also tried it in a climb out and it still disengaged after a few second. I've been using the NGX for about 5 years and had never tried it before.

 

Hal Watkins

[downscc 1,327]

35 minutes ago, Halwatk said:

It was just an experiment "outside the normal". I also tried it in a climb out and it still disengaged after a few second. I've been using the NGX for about 5 years and had never tried it before.

 

Hal Watkins

I'm comfortable hand flying the NGX so it was interesting trying out the CWS mode.  There was no disengagment so I recommend you look for something that might be bumping the trim.  I assume CWS will disconnect same as A/P when the trim is bumped.