Virtual Pilot Operating Handbook
DISENGAGE Control Bar
The disengage control bar’s purpose is to quickly turn off any and all functions of the autopilot. This
allows the pilot to regain manual control of the aircraft at any desired time. When the disengage control
bar is in the DOWN position, the autopilot is disengaged and no autopilot modes will function. When the
bar is in the UP position, the autopilot can be activated, and its modes engaged or disengaged using the
individual panel buttons.
Note that the disengage control bar does not affect the operation of the auto throttle, or any of the auto
throttle-related modes.
F/D Toggle Switch and Indicator
There are two independent sets of F/D (Flight Director) toggle switch/indicator pairs on the MCP Pro; one
located at the far left of the panel, and the other located at the far right. These switches allow activation
and deactivation of the Flight Director function of the autopilot, and allow either left- or right seat pilot to
optionally show the Flight Director bars on their respective flight display.
HDG SEL Button
This button controls activation of the Heading Hold function. When the button’s internal LED is lit, the
Heading Hold mode is engaged.
HEADING Adjustment Knob and Display
This knob selects a heading value from 1 to 360 degrees, and is used to establish and maintain the
aircraft’s heading when the HDG SEL button beneath the knob is activated. The currently-set value is
shown on the 3-digit LED display beneath the HEADING label on the panel.
IAS/MACH (Speed) Adjustment Knob and Display
This knob selects an airspeed value, displayed in either Knots Indicated Airspeed (IAS) or MACH
Number, on the 3-digit LED display under the IAS/MACH label on the panel. On aircraft featuring an auto
throttle, this is used to establish and maintain the aircraft’s speed when the SPEED button beneath the
knob is activated. Pushing the C/O button located underneath the display causes the speed readout to
alternate between IAS and MACH units.
LNAV Button*
This button controls activation of the LNAV (Lateral Navigation) function of the autopilot. When the
button’s internal LED is lit, the VNAV mode is engaged.
LVL CHG Button
This button controls activation of the Flight Level Change function of the autopilot. When the button’s
internal LED is lit, the Flight Level Change mode is engaged.
N1 Button
This button controls the activation of the THRUST N1 function of the auto throttle. When the button’s
internal LED is lit, the THRUST N1 mode is engaged.
VERT SPEED Adjustment Wheel and Display
The Vertical Speed adjustment wheel selects a rate of climb or descent. The aircraft will attempt to
maintain the selected rate whenever the V/S button beneath the wheel is activated. The currently elected
rate is shown on the 5-digit LED display beneath the VERT SPEED label on the panel.
