Cessna Citation Sovereign (C680)
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 750; Flight Crew Type 110
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Aircraft; Human Factors
While setting up for the ILS 6 in Teterboro; we were told to go direct VINGS; expect ILS 6. As requested we complied. About 1 mile form VINGS the Controller asked us to turn to a 090 to intercept the localizer and cleared us for the approach. I put the plane in HDG mode; 090; and pressed the approach button; something we have trained ourselves to [do] numerous times when cleared for and ILS. This [FMC] has a small quirk in it that I know about; but neglected to remember in this instance. When in HDG mode; the APPR button will not arm unless the needles are in the GREEN or LOC mode. Therefore when I pressed the APPR button I neglected to notice that it did not ARM for this reason. We flew through the localizer and had to make a sharp and dramatic turn to re-intercept. No matter how much you know the equipment (and I pride myself on knowing it well) it is no substitute to being in front of the airplane and anticipating what it should and will do next. In addition; when you push a button make sure it does what you wanted it to do; [don't] just assume. This is precisely how something like this could be prevented in the future.
C680 pilot flew through a localizer course due to improper setup of the autoflight system and had to make a 'sharp and dramatic' turn to re-intercept.