Flight director and autopilot

Read the FMA

Identify the active lateral and vertical modes before following a cue.

Identify the presentation

FSS describes a magenta flight-director cue and a separate takeoff crossbar presentation. Check the phase of flight and the actual active mode.

Flight-director command

If the AP is disengaged, the pilot controls the aircraft. Use the guidance cue while monitoring speed, attitude and flight path.

Check AP separately

An FD cue can be present without AP engagement. Confirm the AP annunciation on the FMA when autopilot control is intended.

Display side

With AP engaged, FSS says the FD cue can be removed from the non-coupled side but not the coupled side. With AP disengaged, pressing FD on the coupled side disengages FD modes on both sides; FSS says A/T changes to SPDt to track the airspeed target.

After a mode change

Verify what became active and what the aircraft actually does. If the guidance is inappropriate, maintain control and select an appropriate mode. ^[169]

FSS also describes switching the flight director off with FPA: if FPA is already the active vertical mode, press FPA once. If another vertical mode is active, press FPA once to select it, then press FPA again. Check the FMA after each press. FSS flight director ^[169].