A/P on conventional NPA with FMS

[gigi116]

I have to develop an SOP to fly conventional NPA using the FMS.

I would like to know your opinion about coupling the autopilot and FMS vertical guidance during these conventional NPA.

FMS manual (Collins 6000) say that autopilot "APP" function may be only used if "authorized". No limitations for use of VNAV instead.

It is not clear if this required authorization refers to RNAV approach or the 50 feet add on to minima for CDFA (CANPA) technique.

My company is not yet RNAV approach authorized but, of course, consider CDFA a must.


Do you think it is legal to arm this APP function or I have to use VNAV only ?

Thanks

[FE Hoppy]

It is probably made clear what can and cannot be done technically in your AFM. Use of FMS will depend on how the procedures are coded. For this you need to speak to your database provider.

With those two bits of info you can start to work out appropriate procedures. Type would help as other operators may well have done all the hard work for you already.