KayPam
31st Jan 2019, 17:01
Hello,
I would have a question regarding the heading bug, in IFR manual flying.
First, airplanes in VFR training often do not have any heading bug and they fly pretty well. In autopilot flying, it's obvious the heading bug is crucial for the heading mode, or for switching seamlessly from nav to heading mode.
Personally, I think it's useful in the very basic phase of training. Because in this phase, the exercises are not plotted on any charts, or anywhere else than in the instructor's mind. So it's pretty useful to have a reminder of the exercise (it could be, ending a timed standard rate turn at this or this heading).
But for anything further than this, I'm thinking the pilot's SA (even student) is enough for him to know where to go.
For instance, in our school they want us to set the heading bug at each and every turn we make. Even a small correction to rejoin an axis. Or in a VFR circuit.
In a VFR circuit, I would deem sufficient to only set the QFU on the CRS and HDG bug, and read the perpendicular or opposite heading and fly to this heading, and once i'm there I can check that my relative angle to the QFU is okay (perpendicular or opposite).
In a holding pattern, it is quite the same.
During an approach, all my headings are noted on the chart.
In short, in any case I will have to choose a heading by thinking where to go.
I can't see why I could not just remember this heading instead of setting it on the bug.
I would find it much more reasonable and time-efficient to perform the turn, and then synchronise the heading bug with a push on the button.
What are your opinions on this matter ? I asked the question to my instructors but I'm still not really convinced why I should use it.
To this date, the only thing I'm convinced of this that having the heading bug while maintaining a heading or a radioelectric axis is useful, because it helps visualise where the particular heading required is (including wind). And it gives a useful reference for making corrections, for example in an ILS approach.
Thanks.
I would have a question regarding the heading bug, in IFR manual flying.
First, airplanes in VFR training often do not have any heading bug and they fly pretty well. In autopilot flying, it's obvious the heading bug is crucial for the heading mode, or for switching seamlessly from nav to heading mode.
Personally, I think it's useful in the very basic phase of training. Because in this phase, the exercises are not plotted on any charts, or anywhere else than in the instructor's mind. So it's pretty useful to have a reminder of the exercise (it could be, ending a timed standard rate turn at this or this heading).
But for anything further than this, I'm thinking the pilot's SA (even student) is enough for him to know where to go.
For instance, in our school they want us to set the heading bug at each and every turn we make. Even a small correction to rejoin an axis. Or in a VFR circuit.
In a VFR circuit, I would deem sufficient to only set the QFU on the CRS and HDG bug, and read the perpendicular or opposite heading and fly to this heading, and once i'm there I can check that my relative angle to the QFU is okay (perpendicular or opposite).
In a holding pattern, it is quite the same.
During an approach, all my headings are noted on the chart.
In short, in any case I will have to choose a heading by thinking where to go.
I can't see why I could not just remember this heading instead of setting it on the bug.
I would find it much more reasonable and time-efficient to perform the turn, and then synchronise the heading bug with a push on the button.
What are your opinions on this matter ? I asked the question to my instructors but I'm still not really convinced why I should use it.
To this date, the only thing I'm convinced of this that having the heading bug while maintaining a heading or a radioelectric axis is useful, because it helps visualise where the particular heading required is (including wind). And it gives a useful reference for making corrections, for example in an ILS approach.
Thanks.