Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
While on the localizer course to XXL into ZZZ; the FO; acting as PF; placed the aircraft into heading mode and green needles approximately 35 NM from ZZZ to have the aircraft track the localizer to the runway. However; before arming the LOC mode on the aircraft FCP; the FO failed to realize that the selected course for the localizer NAVAID was set to approximately 347 degrees; instead of the appropriate 273 degree inbound course. When the aircraft began to turn to the north; the CA; acting as PM; commanded the FO to disengage the autopilot and hand fly the aircraft back on to the localizer; which the FO promptly did. ATC instructed that a 250 heading be flown to re-intercept. The FO then continued the remainder of the approach without incident.This event can be attributed to a simple lack of proficiency on the part of the First Officer. The FO explained that he had been on prolonged time off; and had not flown the aircraft for approximately three months. This trip was assigned to prevent his takeoff and landing currency from lapsing. Unfortunately; due to the current COVID pandemic crisis; this extended leave period caused the FO's instrument cross-check and automation management skills to decay slightly.In the future; it is suggested that the aircraft not be placed into green needles to intercept localizer NAVAIDs at such a great distance from the runway. The aircrafts automation is likely to be very imprecise and unpredictable and should rather be switched to green needles much closer to the runway. It is also suggested that the FO make a habit of verifying that the correct inbound course is selected on the PFD before commanding the aircraft automation to use green needles. Finally; despite these highly irregular circumstances facing the company and the aviation industry at large; I would recommend that the First Officer try to pick up flying somewhat more often; in order to avoid this sort of skill decay.
Air carrier Captain reported experiencing a track heading deviation due to FO entering the wrong heading on the PFD. Captain and ATC caught the mistake and corrected the heading.