rote

I know this isn't a flight-simulator group, but I've got a
question for all the real pilots out the In general, how much
do commercial aviation pilots use their auto-pilot?

Bryan, you have used a term that may have confused many of those
who have responded to your question.

By "commercial aviation pilot", did you mean an airline pilot who
is actually an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)or...a real Commercial
Pilot (CP) who usually flies smaller business aircraft? As you have
seen, you received a lot of BS answers from Private Pilots and even
Non-Pilots without a clue.

A Commercial Pilot (CP) certificate is simply a grade (level) of
pilot certificate and does not necessarily mean the the holder is
actually employed to fly an airplane. He may fly the same small
airplane types without an autopilot as a Private Pilot (PP).

Autopilot use by a Commercial Pilot (CP) really depends upon the
size and type of airplane that he is flying and the conditions under
which he is operating.

Now...if you really meant an airline pilot flying a jetliner, the
answer is much easier. They probably use the autopilot 95 percent of
the time. During my 25 years as an airline pilot, the autopilot
would be engaged at about 2,000' after takeoff and remain on until
2,000' above the airport prior to landing.

Bob Moore
ATP B-707 B-727
PanAm (retired)