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Heading bug usefulness
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 think your analysis is pretty good, especially keeping it on the QFU during the circuit. One other use of the bug is to set it to the runway heading before you taxi out. It might just save you from lining up on the wrong runway. Don’t ask me how I know........ |
KISS.... Having two different SOP’s relating to the heading bug will drop you in it one day. When the chips are down, night, bad weather, maybe some instrument failure, a test perhaps, you will make the mistake of following the heading bug when you shouldn’t be, or vice versa. It is microseconds to turn the knob each time you need a new heading and will become instinctive....like resetting an altimeter immediately you hear a new QNH rather than writing it down or answering the call and then then resetting it later (or forgetting). It may seem a pain now, but once instinctive it will become second nature and thus KISS. It may also save you that embarrassment one day...one procedure not two! |
Originally Posted by 3wheels
(Post 10376747)
KISS.... Having two different SOP’s relating to the heading bug will drop you in it one day. |
I reckon the heading bug is one very important bit of equipment. And it's part of the 5/7 T's for obvious reasons. It is a very useful reference for flight in real IMC.
Now on the type I fly it is also useful to keep the trackline under it to make small corrections on the localizer. |
Use the HDG bug
Please be convinced Believe your instructors Rgds |
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