Disconnecting the AP and hand flying when you get behind the airplane should be an option. A bit reliant on automation there. Good job on straitening it out and sharing.
20:43 The way I read this ATC instruction ("turn right Direct Silex, maintain 4000, cleared for the approach"), since he didn't say "straight in" I would have asked for clarification "confirming straight in?"... otherwise I'm quite certain that the default is to fly the Hold in Lieu of Precedure Turn (which of course your GTN was also "thinking"). Your thoughts? Wayne (DA40 KSBA)
Your correct about cleared for the approach should have meant fly the entire procedure. In Souther Cal when the give you that angle of intercept they normally mean to intercept and track in bound. I hadn’t thought of them wanting me to fly the full procedure. Anyway as soon as I started turning outbound I knew something was wrong. Good point.