tgycgijoes wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2009 at 3:53am:

I am posting here since this IS an AUTOPILOT issue I think or is it an Approach issue?  Although I am only a simulator commercial pilot, I was able to train on Boeing 757/767 CBT through the generosity of a close friend who is a captain for a large airline.  Anyway, when pushing APP, it is my understanding that all three CMDs are to activate for a LAND3 approach.  Mine don't.  What am I doing wrong.  I have lnav pushed and runway selected in the CDU no discontinuity.  Anyone who has the answer please help me out here.  I am tired of landing my plane manually when it cound autoland. Reading the CS manuals has not helped and Boeing says they should.  PS I was under 1500 feet and on glidepath but Approach was not descending. :-/

I've spent some hours in a CRJ sim for the same reasons you point out above.  Quite a thrill, is it not!

I assume from what you've said that the FMC controlled the descent, and brought you in proximity of the approach, if so, that rules out all FMC items except one...

I assume you selected an approach?  Or at least a runway?  The database on the FMC in CS757 is limited, even if it shows approaches and runways it doesn't always store the ILS frequencies for that runway.  Check the NAV/RAD page and see if the ILS is in there.  If it's not punch it in (like 108.70/326 for freq and course) and shift it up to the ILS location with the left side key.  Or, you can put it into the ILS radio directly, which is on the center column of the Aisle stand, below the transponder and above the rudder trim.

Once you're holding heading and altitude to intercept the ILS, and assuming you're below the slope, click in APP mode and when you start to get near the ILS, the plane should turn in, and once it's intercepted the GS, shortly before landing LAND3 will engage and all 3 CMD modes will come on.  I've had a few cases where it did not engage LAND3 until I was almost to my DH setting, and as I recall those were all rough landings because the LAND3 didn't flare soon enough.

The biggest keys here are to make sure the freq and course are in the ILS radio, and to have patience- LAND3 won't engage until you've intercepted glideslope and I believe I won't engage unless the gears and flaps are down.

Hope it helps. ;)