Originally Posted by
ThreeStripe
I know we can fill an ocean with gripes about the 200, but my question deals with the inability of the flight director to track a localizer if there is any kind of wind. Is it just the ASA 200's that suck, is it all the 200's or is it the CRJ platform in general? After flying around in that weather system this week, the lack of reliable automation is getting old. It was fun at first, but not anymore. Can other operators chime in on this?
If the wx sucks, handfly it. The FD is (under standard ops) linked to the onside FCC, which also works through IAPS to compare both FCC's and the comparative monitor. While all of us would say "yup, sounds right, why the delay".. The FCC's only react to the info received, after winds, temp, airspeed, etc. the -200 rocks a automation system with 133mhz processors. The -700/900 use 533mhz. Your cell phone is as powerful, if not more powerful than the processors within the FCC's and IAPS. Your FD is the end result of all the calculations. "George" loves 30 degree turn rates on intercept and standard rate corrections. If the wx pure sucks and goes over cat 2 wind limits, you are better off handflying. Especially true In gusty conditions. Why? Calculation times are reactionary.
Most of the time, it works well.. Lasts a long time. When in situations abnormal, sync yourself to the plane and give the AP a break. You remove the "what are you doing" step.