"Ray Andraka" wrote in message
...
I agree, an autopilot is a useful tool, which is why I added one to my
airplane. The need for one is, I think, also dependent on the airplane.
If
you've got an airplane that is a little squirrelly, you'll need an
autopilot
more than if you have one that handles more like a truck. I fly a
cherokee Six,
which is incredibly stable for IFR operations...that is to say that it
handles
like a sled...it takes a bit of effort to make it turn at all. Given the
stability of this airframe, an autopilot was not as high a priority as
some
other things. If it were a Tiger or Bonanza, I'm sure the importance
would have
carried more weight.

Tom Sixkiller wrote:



Under a situation of limited funds, one must weigh alternatives. This
article (from a autopilot manufacturer, so take what they say with a
grain
of salt) does make some damn good, well reasoned points (in the form of
a
decision tree at the end of the article).

www.s-tec.com/pdf/AutoPilotBook.pdf


And as you and the article state it should be only a TOOL, not a crutch. IN
a similar vein, it should be used like cruise control in a car; it should
not cause a deterioration in the ability to drive (and no, I'm not referring
to the Urban Legend® of the guy in the motor home that turned on cruise
control and went back to fix a sam'ich. ) :~)