Definition
The pilot action of choosing which automatic flight control function the autopilot or flight director will perform, such as heading hold, altitude hold, navigation tracking, or approach. Each mode commands the aircraft to follow a specific reference, and only the modes the pilot selects will be active.
Plain English
Telling the autopilot what job to do — for example, hold this heading, hold this altitude, or fly this approach. Whatever the pilot picks is what the autopilot will follow.
Context Anchor
Seen on helicopter automatic flight control system panels and flight displays during instrument procedures, especially before departure, level-off, or approach.
Derivation
‘Mode’ comes from the Latin modus, meaning ‘a way or manner of doing something.’ In aviation it refers to a specific way the autopilot is configured to fly the aircraft. Selecting a mode picks which ‘way of flying’ is active.
Why Pilots Care
Proper mode selection reduces pilot workload and maintains stable flight parameters, which is critical for safety in low-visibility conditions.
Intuition Check
Do not think of mode selection as only pressing a button. In an automatic flight system, it determines what the system is actually trying to hold or follow, so the pilot must confirm the displayed active mode.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling off at cruise altitude, the pilot made the mode selection of altitude hold and heading hold on the AFCS.
Example Sentence 2
After departure, mode selection coupled the AFCS with the GPS course for the en route segment.