Flight management system, process, and program product enabling dynamic switching between non-precision approach modes

A program product for use in conjunction with a flight management system (FMS) deployed onboard an aircraft and including a display device and a user interface, the FMS operable in a flight landing system (FLS) guidance mode and a flight management (FM) vertical guidance mode, the program product comprising:

• an avionics flight management program adapted to:
• receive data via the user interface designating an approach in a flight plan;
• enable a pilot to utilize the user interface to select one of the FLS guidance mode and the FM vertical guidance mode in which the FMS is to operate during the designated approach if the designated approach is a non-precision approach;
• and
• place the FMS in the selected guidance mode during the designated approach;
• and
• computer-readable media bearing the avionics flight management program.

A flight management system (FMS) for deployment onboard an aircraft, the FMS operable in a flight landing system (FLS) guidance mode and a flight management (FM) vertical guidance mode, the FMS comprising:

• a display device;
• a user interface;
• and
• a controller coupled to the display device and the user interface, the
• controller configured to:
• (i) receive data via the user interface designating an approach in a flight plan;
• (ii) enable the pilot to utilize the user interface to select one of the FLS guidance mode and the FM vertical guidance mode in which the FMS is to operate during the designated approach if the designated approach is a non-precision approach;
• and (iii) place the FMS in the selected guidance mode during the designated approach.