Collins Flight Director (FD)

[TC1]

Chapter 13 of the 727's Aircraft Operation Manual describes in detail the operation of the aircrafts Nav, Com, Flight Director & Autopilot systems. I understand the Nav, Com and Autopilot systems, but I am confused on the operation of the Flight Director.

Yes, the autopilot is used to establish the aircraft's line of flight and altitude hold after the yaw dampers are turned on, but what functions does the Flight Director perform? When is it appropriate to use the Flight Director? Is the Flight Director used only landing approach? Are there any other subsystems required for the unit to function correctly?

Thanks for your help.

Tom

[Lou_Betti]

Hi Tom,

This is where some in FS can get confused due to over reliance on automation to fly the plane for them (not saying you, just want to make that comment). The Flight Director is intended to "Direct" YOU in manually flying the plane. That means you, with your hands on the yoke. Often, it is "set" using the autopilot, or sometimes a separate control unit, BUT, when the AP is not engaged it is up to you to follow its "commands" with manual input. When using the AP, the flight director is meaningless, it's intended use is for manual flying of the aircraft.

Example: You set a desired pitch angle for vertical speed, and a heading to turn to. Just follow the FD bar and voilà! The bar moves left, you turn left and keep with it. It moves up and to the right, you do the same and match it.

Example: Tune in VOR radial to intercept and fly, follow the bar and... you guessed it.

Same for an ILS.

On the 727 it is a "single cue" FD. This is where you have just one command bar that handles both vertical and horizontal. On other aircraft you might find a "dual cue" FD, where you have two "needles" sort of like the "+" of a LOC/GS. Here, one needle handles vertical and the other horizontal. Same theory, just different ways of presenting the information.

Sadly, in FS, we have many who rely far too much on the AP to do things for them, and miss out on the enjoyment of flying a plane for real. This is where the FD comes into play, to assist you in this. The 727 is especially suited to manual flying.

On our forthcoming Beech A36, you will have a FD, and a more advanced AP than the 727 has. Here, you can set all sorts of things on the AP for the FD to command. Just don't engage the AP, and it will be up to you to follow the commands presented by the FD.

Frankly, you can use the FD for the entire flight, and never turn on the AP! Of course, on a long flight you might want to use altitude hold, but that's about it. ;-)

Hope this helps.

Regards,
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[TC1]

Lou,

Thank you.

What a great explanation. It was detailed, timely and written so that I have a clear understanding of what tasks the FD performs.

Your right about becoming dependant on the autopilot. Two of my favorite aircraft are the DA-20 Katana and the Beaver. Both of these aircraft have no autopilot and need to be flown by hand. I'll be sure to take a look at your Beech A36 when it comes on to the market. If the A36 is any where near the level of detail of the DF727 I'll be adding it to my "fleet".

Thanks again and have a great holiday season.

Tom

[Lou_Betti]

You also, Tom, and many thanks. :-)

Regards,
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[font size=1][font color=blue]Can you pilot a plane, instead of programming an FMC to do it for you?[/font color= blue][/font size=1]