Hey Brag,
Here’s how the FLC works. I set it when I’m on the ground while I’m setting up all of my other AP settings and radios.
- Use the Altitude knob to set the target altitude.
- Click the FLC button on.
- Use the V/S wheel to set your desired climb out speed. It shows up at the top of the Airspeed ribbon. I looked it up and the recommended speed for the Longitude is 180 for initial climb out.
That’s pretty much it. Once you’re wheels up and you kick in the AP the FLC takes over maintaining the selected speed by adjusting the rate of climb.
A word of caution: once you’re off the ground make sure that you don’t go too much over your selected climb out speed before you kick in the AP. FLC has a little trouble coming back down to your selected speed if you go too much over.
Once you see that FLC is handling the speed you can use your throttle to adjust your rate of climb. I usually kick my throttle up as close to N1 100% as I can get. That usually ensures me a vertical speed of between 2500 and 3500.
Once you are at your desired altitude and you want to go higher, you can set your target altitude and when you kick in the FLC it will maintain your CURRENT speed. If desired you can use the V/S wheel to adjust that in case the AOA gets a little too steep.
Hope this helps.
Just remember, like my dear old Dad told me; don’t run out of altitude, airspeed and ideas all at the same time.