As is covered in our other dedicated FAQs, the RJ Professional is simulated without an autopilot-coupled VNAV (Vertical Navigation) mode which is accurate to the real aircraft. For further information, please see: https://support.justflight.com/en/support/solutions/articles/17000142821-why-are-the-mls-and-vnav-buttons-inoperative-on-the-mcp-) 

However, the RJ is fitted with one rudimentary type of VNAV, in the form of an Advisory VNAV (AVNAV) system. This system can be quite complex to get your head around at first and its use is often misunderstood, so this FAQ will aim to clarify how to enable the AVNAV system as well as covering its uses.

The AVNAV system in the RJ a useful tool that becomes available for use when performing non-precision approaches that do not have a glideslope (for example, RNAV, VOR, NDB, etc). When performing a non-precision approach with the AVNAV system active, an AVNAV vertical deviation indicator will appear on the EFIS ND when the aircraft is within 2nm of the approaches Final Approach Fix (FAF), and will provide vertical guidance to the pilots from the Final Approach Fix to the runway. It is important to note that, hence the name, this system is only advisory and therefore has no coupled autopilot modes. If the autopilot was to be used throughout the approach, VS mode would be preferred and a reference vertical speed can be found on the VNAV DES page of the GNLU-910A FMS.

To enable the AVNAV system, a non-precision approach must first be activated in the flight plan on the GNLU-910A FMS (for example, RNAV, VOR, NDB, etc).

With a non-precision approach activated, the VNAV APPR option will become available on the APPROACH REF page when the aircraft is within 30nm of the terminal area of the flight plan.

When passing 2nm of the Final Approach Fix with the APPR ENABLE and VNAV APPR options both set to ON, the FMS runs through some systems checks and if they pass, the FMS APP annunciator will illuminate on the FLT ANNUNS panel and the AVNAV vertical deviation indicator will appear on the EFIS ND.

The AVNAV vertical deviation indicator will then indicate the aircraft’s vertical position with respect to the calculated descent path. The scale indicates a range of +200ft and -200ft. Approaches using the AVNAV system can either be flown manually with the autopilot disengaged, or using VS mode if the autopilot is engaged.

Note: The AVNAV vertical deviation scale will only appear when ARC or ROSE format is selected on the EFIS ND Controller. There is no AVNAV scale on the EFIS PFD.