Description

The term "control wheel steering (CWS)" is used interchangeably to describe one of two significantly different autopilot modes or functions. The variance depends upon the type of autopilot and the aircraft manufacturer. In one application, the yoke-mounted CWS button, which in many aircraft types is referred to as touch control steering (TCS), controls the temporary disengagement of the autopilot servos whilst the aircraft is manoeuvred manually. In the other, CWS is a selectable autopilot mode which allows the changes to aircraft pitch and roll through manipulation of the control wheel instead of using pitch or roll selectors on the autopilot control panel. In the second variant, aircraft response to control wheel movement, whilst in CWS mode, is somewhat similar to that of a fly-by-wire installation.