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Also to my knowledge you can engage HDG on the ground, it does not arm, it goes straight to active mode. But we have yet had a real world pilot confirm this. Nobody does this in the real world... I know that rotating the heading knob kicks out armed NAV mode on the ground. Not sure what happens if you pull the knob though.
HDG is the basic lateral mode, so it has to activate in the air when there is no other mode. Also this is implemented to the best of my knowledge, interpreting the FCOM and reading between the lines here. If RWY TRK is active then we would not have to use HDG right away. On automatic engagement the heading synchronizes to the present heading, so no turn is commanded by the flight director.
Hi Jet-Pack.
I enclose an excerpt from FCOM where explains HDG PRESET mode before takeoff. In fact, there are SIDs that tell the pilot to keep a given heading after takeoff until a certain altitude (for example) and then resume managed navigation by going straight to a F-PLN waypoint (DIR TO). Before activating HDG mode after takeoff, RWY TRK mode is kept and appears in FMA.
Please check with a real pilot.
"The system has a HDG/TRK preset function for takeoff and go-around.
If the flight crew chooses not to fly the flight plan after takeoff or go-around, they may preset a HDG or
a TRK on the FCU by turning the HDG/TRK knob. The value they set remains displayed in the FCU
HDG/TRK window until they pull the knob.
OPERATION AT TAKEOFF
HDG/TRK preset is available before takeoff and up to 30 ft RA. Turning the HDG/TRK knob before
30 ft sets the desired HDG/TRK. As a consequence:
- NAV is disarmed
- At 30 ft, RWY TRK is annunciated until the HDG/TRK knob is pulled.
OPERATION AT GO-AROUND
Whenever the LOC*, LOC, LAND or GA modes are engaged, the HDG preset is available. If the
flight crew rotates the HDG/TRK knob to set the value, it will remain displayed in the window. Pull
out the HDG/TRK knob to activate the mode and turn the aircraft to the preset value.
When overflying the MAP, HDG/TRK will synchronize with the current value. The HDG/TRK preset
function is no longer available.
CANCELLATION
The flight crew can cancel a preset HDG/TRK by:
- Engaging the NAV mode using the DIR TO
- Pushing in the HDG/TRK knob (arming NAV mode)
- Disengaging AP/FD."
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We have tried to follow the FCOM as closely as possible. There, if I remember correctly, it says that RWY TRK follows a RWY mode when there is no NAV mode armed after takeoff. So to my knowledge RWY TRK only activates if RWY has been active. And for that you require a LOC signal.
Yes, I think you are right. Except that RWY TRK activates at 30 ft if there is a HDG PRESET before takeoff, until pulling HDG knob to activate HDG mode.
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Otherwise I tried to use the new feature for suggested ALT CRZ by clicking the corresponding LSK in MCDU, but when I insert it there is no reflection in FCU ALT window nor PFD display.
Please check what I am doing wrong here.
Sorry for my questions, I like your A320 and would want it to be as realistic as possible.
Best regards.