Power Management Essential Skills Essential Skills Course Intercepts Flying an Assigned Heading To Intercept a  Course or VOR Radial or descend, the pilot must select only the vertical mode. In  many systems, the vertical speed mode is indicated and the  altitude mode is indicated as “armed” and ready to capture  the selected altitude. Only the power requires pilot manual  control. Figure 4-13  illustrates selecting the assigned heading, setting  up your FD/FMS autopilot for the assigned course, engaging  the heading mode, and arming the navigation function. Once  the aircraft reaches the course, the autopilot automatically  disengages the heading function and engages the navigation  mode.  Unless the aircraft has an autothrottle system, you must adjust  the power to an appropriate setting when performing any  climb, descent, or level‑off. You cannot allow the aircraft  to exceed any applicable speed limitations during a descent.  During a climb at a vertical speed that the aircraft cannot  sustain, the FD/autopilot may command a pitch that results  in a stall. On most FD/autopilots, courses can be intercepted by first  using the heading “bug” to select an intercept course and then  engaging the heading function. Alternatively, engaging the  navigation function in some units causes the FD/autopilot  to select an intercept heading, engage the heading function,  and arm the navigation function. This can be a cause for  conflict if ATC assigns an intercept heading, but the FD is  programmed to use one angle. In those instances, you need  to set the heading into the FD/autopilot, fly, and control  the intercept until the aircraft is close enough to complete  the intercept and capture without deviating from the ATC  instructions. At that point you can select and arm the  navigation mode, which completes the intercept and begins  tracking the selected course. You can use the navigation mode in combination with the  heading function to fly an assigned heading to intercept  a course. The procedure illustrated in  Figure 4-13 takes  advantage of the ability to arm the navigation mode while  the heading mode is engaged. 1. Use the FD/autopilot to climb or descend to and  automatically capture an assigned altitude. 2. Determine the indications of the armed or capture  mode, and what pilot actions will cancel those modes. 3. Determine if the system allows resetting of the armed  or capture mode, or if manual control is the only option  after cancellation of these modes. 4. Determine the available methods of activating the  altitude armed or capture mode. 5. Determine the average power necessary for normal  climbs and descents. Practice changing the power to  these settings in coordination with making the FD/ autopilot mode changes. 6. Determine and record maximum climb vertical speeds  and power settings for temperatures and altitudes.  Ensure the values are in agreement with values in  AFM/POH for conditions. Make note of highest  practical pitch attitude values, conditions, and loading.  Remember powerplant factors (e.g., minimum  powerplant temperature, bleed air requirements) and  airframe limitations (e.g., VA in setting power). 1. Use the FD/autopilot to fly an assigned heading to  capture and track a VOR and/or RNAV course. 2. Determine if the FD/autopilot uses preprogrammed  intercepts or set headings for navigation course  interceptions. 3. Determine the indications of navigation mode armed  conditions. 4. Determine parameters of preprogrammed intercept  modes, if applicable. 5. Determine minimum and maximum intercept angle  limitations, if any. 4-11