Prepare for the Delta 737 PA-LOD Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations, ensuring you're ready for exam day!

Multiple Choice

If the glideslope captures before LOC, what action does the AFDS likely command?

When the glideslope becomes active before the localizer, the AFDS shifts into a vertical mode that commands descent to follow the published glidepath. This vertical constraint is independent of the localizer, so the system starts descending on the glidepath as soon as GS is captured. Descent begins earlier than you’d have if you waited for LOC capture, which is why this is described as a premature descent. The autopilot remains engaged and follows the active vertical guidance rather than waiting for LOC, and it wouldn’t automatically disconnect or execute a go-around just because GS activated first, nor would it leave the flight path unchanged.

When the glideslope becomes active before the localizer, the AFDS shifts into a vertical mode that commands descent to follow the published glidepath. This vertical constraint is independent of the localizer, so the system starts descending on the glidepath as soon as GS is captured. Descent begins earlier than you’d have if you waited for LOC capture, which is why this is described as a premature descent. The autopilot remains engaged and follows the active vertical guidance rather than waiting for LOC, and it wouldn’t automatically disconnect or execute a go-around just because GS activated first, nor would it leave the flight path unchanged.