A 58-year-old male with COPD is admitted to the ICU with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 72 mmHg, PaO₂ 58 mmHg on room air). He is intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. The team is deciding between volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) and pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV). Which mode is most appropriate for this patient, and why?