SkyView
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement, Rev N,
10/23/2020
Page | 9-9
Table 6: Autopilot Control Modes
CONTROL
MODE
FUNCTIONALITY DESCRIPTION
LEVEL
Rolls wings level, simultaneously raises nose above horizon, then holds zero vertical speed.
HDG
Turns toward and holds compass heading as selected by HDG/TRK bug.
TRK
Turns toward and holds ground track as selected by HDG/TRK bug.
ROLL
Holds current bank angle, within bank angle limits.
NOTE
: This mode can only be activated when the autopilot is activated and no other lateral mode
(HDG, TRK, or NAV) has been selected at the moment of engagement.
NAV
Intercepts course by turning towards CDI needle, then maintains selected OBS course.
VOR/LOC: Reverts to HDG mode if CDI is lost with HDG target set to OBS value, or to current
HDG if OBS is not set.
GPS: Reverts to TRK mode if CDI is lost with TRK target set to OBS value, or to current GPS
ground track if OBS is not set.
ALT
Holds altitude commanded in the Autopilot status bar.
NOTE
: When activating this mode, commanded altitude is automatically set to the current
indicated altitude.
VS
Maintains the selected vertical speed as airplane performance allows, until approaching the
altitude bug, then transitions to ALT mode.
NOTE
: If VS mode is selected when altitude is near the selected altitude the Autopilot will not
automatically capture altitude. This allows the pilot to initiate a VS climb/descent away from the
altitude bug.
NOTE
: A VS setting of 0 will not maintain a specific altitude. However, if a specific altitude is not
required, a VS setting of 0 can provide a more comfortable ride quality than ALT mode in
turbulent conditions.
IAS
Maintains the selected air speed during climb (if not aircraft performance limited) until the
selected altitude approaches, then transitions to ALT to maintain selected altitude.
VNAV
Automatically captures and tracks a glideslope or glidepath when intercepted from below,
regardless of selected lateral mode. It will not capture if descending from above the glideslope or
glidepath.
CAUTION
: It is possible for the Autopilot to capture and track a glideslope or glidepath prior to
the airplane reaching the final approach course of an instrument approach. If this is not desired,
do not arm VNAV mode until established on the final approach course.