Copyright D.P. Browne 2011

DIRECT TO

The direct To function allows the flight crew to modify the flight plan to cause the flight to directly proceed to a waypoint, there after resume the flight path. The waypoint need not be a waypoint within the flight plan. To access the Direct To page, the DIR key is pressed. The Direct To waypoint becomes the active To way point.

There are several options for a Direct To.

Direct To  waypoint

Direct To waypoint with Abeams

Direct To waypoint using an inbound course

Direct To waypoint using an outbound course

An example of a Direct To, using the waypoint ORTAC, The page shows  the selctions available

Using Abeams

When Abeams is selected, all the original waypoints in the flight plan that have now been by passed, have the abeam points placed onto the the new flight path.

The Flight plan page shows these abeam points using the letters ‘AB’ in front of the original waypoint names.

Inbound Course

When selecting an inbound course, the MCDU computes an intercept with the direct to waypoint using this inbound course from the aircraft’s present position.

Outbound Course

When selecting an outbound course, the MCDU computes an intercept with the direct to waypoint using this outbound course from the aircraft’s present position.

Direct To

When selecting a direct To, waypoint the MCDU computes a flight path directly from the current aircraft position to the waypoint.