Further to alatriste,
The 330 will default to SPEED mode when the speed reduces to vls. The F/D bars will flash and then dissappear.
OPEN DES is a mode to be wary of because of this as alatriste says. In a boeing, using LVL CHG you can simply override the autothrottle by pushing the thrust levers up a bit to arrest rate of descent, it is not so intuitive on the bus when manually flying as you have to bring the thrust levers back to idle before disconecting to avoid rapid thrust increase or get your mate to select another mode for you.
I personally don't like OPEN DES near the ground because of this, much prefer V/S mode if using F/D and always fly the F/D accurately in the coreect mode or turn it off and get SPEED mode in A/THR.
In a boeing, you can somewhat ignore the F/D commands in pitch and be in control by overriding A/THR, on the bus, you must be very much aware of the mode selection is and what it is commanding.
Flying the bus manually is great, with or without A/THR, with or without F/D, just be very aware of the combination you have/need.
Cheers
Last edited by The The; 17th May 2005 at 22:00.