Understanding what each button does in the flight deck is a key part of becoming a safer, more confident pilot. In Day 29 of the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge, Ray takes pilots inside the aircraft to answer a simple, but critical question: “what’s this button do?”
Understanding Heading and Navigation Modes on Autopilot
One of the most commonly used autopilot functions is heading mode. When this button is engaged, the aircraft will fly the heading selected by the heading bug on the HSI, providing predictable lateral control and making it easier to comply with ATC vectors.
Navigation (NAV) mode allows the aircraft to follow a programmed GPS flight plan. When using NAV mode, it’s important to keep the heading bug synchronized with the aircraft’s current heading. If the heading bug is left unsynced and the pilot later switches out of NAV mode, the aircraft may turn unexpectedly. This small habit can significantly improve situational awareness and safety during instrument and VFR flying alike.
Flight Level Change and Vertical Navigation Made Simple
Flight Level Change (FLC) mode is most often used during climbs. Rather than commanding a fixed vertical speed, FLC allows pilots to select a target airspeed, letting the aircraft manage pitch to maintain that speed. This is especially useful when flying heavy or in high-density-altitude conditions, helping reduce the risk of autopilot-induced stalls.
Vertical Navigation (VNAV) allows pilots to build and fly a vertical profile based on altitude constraints in the flight plan. Whether flying a STAR, an approach, or even managing pattern altitude during VFR operations, VNAV can significantly reduce workload when properly set up and monitored, which is an important skill emphasized in pilot training.
Safer Pilot Challenge 2026
The Safer Pilot Challenge is our yearly vow to help you become a smarter, safer pilot, and it runs all month long every January, wrapping up with our big livestream finale on January 31! We’re giving away prizes throughout the month, so be sure to watch each YouTube video and leave the specific comment to enter for a chance to win. Are you committing to 31 for 31 days of the Safer Pilot Challenge? If you love our free content, just imagine what our full courses can do for you. We’d love to welcome you into our ground schools! Start today with a free 2-week trial and see if MzeroA is the right fit for your aviation journey!