ddd333

I'm on my first jet. We were taught speed mode almost exclusively in the sim. However, I found out very quickly that the pitch changes make it uncomfortable to use on the line.
I prefer pitch mode, especially in the soup or turbulence. If you learn the pitch required for particular airspeeds it gets very easy to set and adjust smoothly for a comfortable ride. My company's typical climb schedule is 290/.74 so I usually hand fly in speed mode at 250 to 10,000. Then I pitch for about 2.5° nose up, set pitch mode and engage the auto pilot. The aircraft accelerates to 290 with little or no adjustment on the thumb wheel. At the Mach transition, if left in pitch mode, the aircraft tends to accelerate to .77 or more, so if I want to fly on schedule this is the time I'll switch to VS for the rest of the climb. It just seems to work better for me. However, if we are heavy and/or climbing to FL380 or more the CR7 gets sluggish at .74 and VS mode. In those instances I'll keep it in pitch mode to .77 or so and she climbs like a champ to TOC.
The bottom line is you should learn the pros and cons of each mode in different scenarios in order to choose the best (or most comfortable) option. I have only about 350 hours in type, so this may seem amateur to some, but I'm still learning. Fly safe!

Beaver Hunter

Then you need a bigger airplane😜

HercDriver130

Really?? I fly a 742.....guess what ....no VNAV....

its either , IAS Hold....VS or manual pitch.....

DhruvK

My school's jet training course (CRJ2) teaches SPD in the climb and V/S in the descent. Personally below 10k, I've gotten accustomed to climbing and descending in SPD so that I don't inadvertently bust 250 KIAS. I'm guessing those with the benefit of autothrottle would approach that differently, but agree with those who say that there are 3 or 4 ways to accomplish the same thing. Go with what best serves safety and passenger comfort, in that order.

mike734

In the 737 (especially the -700) I deselect VNAV and select N1. This puts the A/C in CWS P mode. The pitch mode of the flight director is removed and the pilot controls pitch with pressure on the control yoke.

The important thing to note is that this is "command" CWS and WILL capture the selected altitude. This is as opposed to the center CWS switch of the autopilot select panel. That style CWS will not capture altitude. I flew with one guy in my career who used it but there seemed to be no valid reason to do that.

ERJF15

HA! Take that Beaver!

Trip7

Speed mode til it oscillates enough that I'm annoyed, then v/s.

DustyRoads

Usually: For the climb I use FLCH, but for any level offs, VS 1000 for the last 1000'(so as not to set off another plane above you TCAS ). For descent, start out with VS gradually dialing in 1000' a minute, set the FLCH speed you want, and as speed approaches it, switch to FLCH. Then reduce/add power based on green banana.

detpilot

For some (silly) reason, our company prohibits the use of pitch mode.

The 748 has FLCH. And, it's bigger!

DirectTo

Spoken like a true pilot.

CommutAir told us to exclusively use pitch mode in climb...because vertical speed wasn't "protected" and the plane could stall. Apparently nobody was smart enough to realize the plane will happily stall in pitch mode too if you don't watch it.

I'm still getting used to the CJ, but VS has treated me well so far.