V/S Mode Reluctant to Change to ALT

[pilotwannabe1]

Just came across this behavior that I wanted to point out.

Starting situation with the aircraft being hand flown with both FDs and AP OFF.  Aircraft is stable at the MCP altitude.  Now, when the AP is engaged, the pitch mode changes to V/S.  If the aircraft is stable, the V/S window opens and shows 0.  The V/s mode does not change to ALT even though the aircraft is at the MCP altitude.  You need to use the V/S knob to fly away a bit from the MCP altitude and then perhaps back again, before ALT engages.

Using v10.58.

Thanks,
Rushad

[Hardy Heinlin]

There are 1000 pilots and 3 different opinions on this subject.

They say, V/S mode changes to ALT mode ...

Opinion 1: ... when approaching or staying at MCP ALT, not when leaving MCP ALT.

Opinion 2: ... when approaching MCP ALT, not when leaving or staying at MCP ALT.

Opinion 3: ... whenever within 50 ft of MCP ALT.


PSX models the opinion that is taught in Atlas Air. The effect is microscopic, and therefore it seems to happen at random, and therefore pilots have different opinions. You need to look very closely; when the aircraft is leaving the MCP ALT, V/S will remain engaged.

Big sims and real aircraft may also differ from each other within the same fleet. This stuff is also sensor dependent.


Regards,

|-|ardy