What is the general effect of flight director modes in an autopilot system?

What is the general effect of flight director modes in an autopilot system?

• A. They determine engine thrust settings
• B. They determine how commands are executed; modes control hold or track
• C. They adjust navigation database
• D. They modify airspeed using wind correction

Answer: (B)

Flight director modes determine how guidance commands are carried out by the autopilot system. They decide whether the commanded actions will be to hold a specific parameter or to track a navigation path. In a hold mode, the system stabilizes the current value (for example, maintain the present altitude or heading) by generating the appropriate attitude commands. In a track or navigation-tracking mode, it follows a course or route, turning and pitching to stay on the planned path. The flight director generates the cues that either the autopilot follows automatically or the pilot uses for manual control. These modes manage how commands are executed, not engine thrust, navigation database updates, or direct airspeed adjustments via wind correction.

Flight director modes determine how guidance commands are carried out by the autopilot system. They decide whether the commanded actions will be to hold a specific parameter or to track a navigation path. In a hold mode, the system stabilizes the current value (for example, maintain the present altitude or heading) by generating the appropriate attitude commands. In a track or navigation-tracking mode, it follows a course or route, turning and pitching to stay on the planned path. The flight director generates the cues that either the autopilot follows automatically or the pilot uses for manual control. These modes manage how commands are executed, not engine thrust, navigation database updates, or direct airspeed adjustments via wind correction.