Originally Posted by
av8tr_2007
I think if I can brake down this one approach into a specific technique on how to hand fly it with the flight director on as guidance, I will finally solve the last piece to my training puzzle. The approach is the Houston, Texas ILS/Loc Rwy 27 Jepp 71-7. I am only choosing this one as an example. Getting down from the DME fixes Dento, Festa, Redoc, MDA… I have been using alt hold, selecting the next altitude and then adjusting my power for my airspeed. Today I was told to use speed hold and then adjust my power for altitude. What would you all use? The speed hold seemed to work better for me until I got down to my MDA and then plane was configured with flaps 45 and gear down. Any suggestions or techniques would be much appreciated. 
I prefer to use the VS mode. When you level off at each step down, have you PM set the altitude for the next step down. When you reach the fix, have your PM command VS 1200-1500fpm down. Use that for an initial pitch attitude. Once you get the descent stabilized you can use the TCS button to set the actual VS that made everything work. Works especially well for those steep approaches in Mexico. I gotta agree with Toilet here, anyone who thinks the IAS mode is the best for an approach has spent too much time in the box. About the only time I use IAS mode is during climbs in smooth air or if I need a max rate descent at a specified airspeed ("slow to 210, descent and maintain 2000. Hurry down, you're #1." Get that all the time in Houston going to 27
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