Ramapriya wrote:
Wow, but isn't that a pain in, say, a 3-hour flight? To not being
able
to let go of the control column and stretch the legs can be tiresome,
I'd imagine.
And what if you've to go to the loo?

It's not too difficult. In the summer, I usually make a few 8 hr.
flights up north. Two legs of 3.5 to 4 hours. If the plane is
properly trimmed, I can fly with a very light touch on the yoke, or
even using my knee. Leg stretching is easy, as rudder is not usually
required in cruise. The loo situation is solved by careful planning
of fluid intake.

My plane has an autopilot (single axis wing-leveler) that has been
inoperative since I bought the plane over 10 yrs. ago. I haven't seen
the need to spend the money to have it fixed. It's primary value is
amusement. It wants to roll hard right every time it's turned on.
Occasionally, I'll secretly turn it on while another pilot is flying
from the right seat. The look on their faces is priceless :-)
John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)