Definition
An autopilot or flight director mode in which the aircraft automatically turns to and maintains a specific magnetic heading set by the pilot using the heading bug on the heading indicator or HSI.
Plain English
A setting that tells the autopilot, 'fly the compass direction I just dialed in.' The pilot moves a little marker (the heading bug) to the desired direction, and the aircraft turns to that direction and holds it.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter flight manual limitations and instrument procedures when using an autopilot, flight director, or heading selector during instrument flight.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces pilot workload by providing automatic heading control, allowing attention to be directed to other instrument procedures or navigation tasks.
Grounding Statement
Heading Select mode controls the direction the nose points; it does not guarantee the helicopter will move over the ground in that exact direction.
Intuition Check
Do not read “heading” as the path over the ground. Heading is where the nose points; wind can make the actual path differ.
Example Sentence 1
After ATC issued a vector for traffic, the pilot turned the heading bug to 270 and let Heading Select mode roll the helicopter onto the new course.
Example Sentence 2
While in Heading Select mode the helicopter held the assigned heading until the pilot switched to approach mode for the ILS.