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3-10
Climb-out/Enroute
Straight and Level mode can be entered from any autopilot state,
including from the off position.
NOTE
Limitation of Overspeed Protection in Straight
and Level
Overspeed protection is not ensured during initiation
of Straight and Level mode. Depending on the
dynamics of the airplane and the available torque in
the servos, the recovery to straight and level
conditions may exceed V
ne
. For example, if the
aircraft were in an extreme nose-low and/or high-
speed condition at time of Straight and Level
activation, it is possible for V
ne
to be exceeded
during the recovery to straight and level conditions.
The autopilot modes annunciator indication is a green
“
STRAIGHT AND LEVEL
”. If the aircraft was not in a wings
level, zero flight path condition at time of mode entry, then both
the button and the mode annunciator will flash green while the
aircraft is being maneuvered to achieve those conditions. At that
time, both the control panel button and the mode annunciator
stop flashing and turn steady green.
PILOT SELECTABLE INTERCEPTS
The autopilot can be commanded to perform a pilot selectable
intercept angle in the lateral modes of GPSS and NAV. This can
prove useful both enroute as well as in the terminal area and
approaches.
To perform a pilot selectable intercept of a calculated nav course,
set the heading bug to the desired value and press both the
“HDG” and “NAV” (or “GPSS”) buttons on the autopilot control
panel at the same time. The system will light up the HDG button
in green and turn the heading bug solid and light up the NAV (or
GPSS) button in cyan.