Control Wheel Steering (CWS) is a helpful feature in many general aviation aircraft, offering a practical way to combine hand flying skills with the convenience of autopilot systems. For private pilots flying single-engine airplanes, understanding and using CWS can improve safety and reduce workload.
What is Control Wheel Steering (CWS)?
Control Wheel Steering allows pilots to take over flying from the autopilot without turning the autopilot off. Instead of fully disengaging the autopilot, CWS temporarily overrides it, letting the pilot adjust pitch, bank, or heading as needed. On most airplanes, this is done by pushing a CWS button on the pilot’s yoke (the CWS button can be located in a variety of places in the cockpit of different airplanes, but this is the most common location in single engine aircraft). Once the CWS button is released, the autopilot begins flying the airplane again, re-engaging the modes that it was using prior to the Control Wheel Steering button was pushed.
Practical Applications of Control Wheel Steering (CWS)
General aviation pilots can use CWS in a variety of scenarios:
- Deviating Around Weather: By holding the Control Wheel Steering button, the pilot can steer around buildups or storms without needing to change autopilot modes.
- Dodging Birds: A vulture decides to play chicken with you? Hold the CWS button down, dodge the bird, then release the button when clear and the autopilot will get the airplane back on course and altitude.
- Recapturing Glideslope on Approach: It happens to all of us. The workload on an approach get’s high and you forgot to push the APR button on the autopilot. You realize this when the GS centers and the autopilot doesn’t capture it. You quickly push the APR button, but the glideslope is now below you. Instead of shutting off the autopilot completely, hold CWS down, pitch the plane down to get slightly underneath the glideslope, then release the button and the autopilot will re-capture and track the glideslope down.
- Climbs: If your autopilot doesn’t have a FLC or IAS mode, but does have a flight director and CWS, turn the flight director on before takeoff, then set your desired pitch attitude on climb out and tap the CWS button. The flight director will sync to your current pitch attitude. Then, turn the autopilot on and it will hold that pitch attitude. Just make sure ALT hold is off!
- Checking Fuel Levels: Don’t trust your fuel gauges? In flight, you can hold down CWS for a few seconds to see which wing starts to dip. That is your heavier wing, telling you which side has more fuel.
CWS in General Aviation Aircraft
CWS is featured in many single-engine airplanes equipped with different autopilot systems. Some single engine aircraft that include CWS functionality are:
- Piper PA46 Aircraft
- Columbia Aircraft
- Cessna Aircraft
- Beechcraft Aircraft
Not sure if your airplane has CWS? Just look down on the pilot’s yoke or stick and if your plane has it, there will be a button that says “CWS” on it.
Tips for Using CWS Effectively
- Learn with a CFII: The first time you use CWS, make sure it’s with a knowledgeable instructor who understands your autopilot.
- Learn Your Aircraft: Each autopilot system is unique, so spend time understanding how CWS works in your specific airplane.
- Practice Regularly: Use CWS regularly to remind yourself it’s there and to understand the functionality.
Conclusion
For general aviation pilots, Control Wheel Steering is a powerful feature that allows for quick adjustments while avoiding excessive button pushing on the autopilot. Whether you’re navigating around weather, managing approaches, or checking fuel levels, CWS can reduce workload and boost safety.
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