Robert M. Gary wrote:
Ron Natalie wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:
However, it is very easy to hand fly the plane while the autopilot is
on. The Cessna training instructors told us that they routinely hand
fly procedure holds on approach w/o changing the mode on the autopilot,
just over powering it.
Ick. What's the point? Which mode where they in to start with?

The autopilot is in nav/approach mode. This is coupled with a G1000 so
it doesn't do holds on its own (its based on the 430 software, not the
480 software). So, rather than switch the autopilot into heading mode,
and then back into approach capture mode, they leave it in approach
mode. That way, as soon as you turn in bound you can just let go and it
flys the approach (KAP140 has pitch control and can fly a GS). It just
saves you from leaving nav mode and havnig to go back into capture
mode. I think part of their point is that it doesn't do any harm to out
mussle the autopilot.

Still Ick. I don't know about the KAP150, but switching autopilot
modes is just a button push (well, two, but you can mash NAV and
APR at the same time, I even can do HDG+NAV+APR together without
strain). Switching the autopilot modes is a lot easier than
fighting the thing trying to drive you back to the final course.