Continue present heading - what does it mean to you?
Hi Everyone,
I've just had a nasty situation with a DLH and a KLM. DLH was told to continue on the present heading upon contact in order not to turn into the KLM.
A few minutes later I could observe the DLH turning right around 70 degrees, just as in the FPL route... Headings issued, nothing happened apart from a bit of flashing on the screen.
I can recall a few of my pilot friends telling me always why do we use the term continue present heading, and what is it for, because most of them can't see the point since they're already flying to a point on own nav.
I wonder if there're some pilots reading this thread - would you please share with us your point of view on the subject? Do you usually put the AP into HDG mode or just leave it in LNAV or whatever is it called on the type you're flying with?
Thank you!