Mxsmanic wrote:
Robert M. Gary writes:

I think you'll find that it is very odd for a high performance single
to not have some sort of an autopilot.

That's reassuring. I wouldn't want to fly anything without an autopilot--a
good one.

Why?? What difference does it make? For your average light aircraft
like I fly the autopilot is of limited use anyway. I use heading mode
infrequently at best.



How much do autopilots for small aircraft cost? Do they have to be provided
for at the factory, or can they be retrofitted to an aircraft?


There's a ****load of stuff that makes up an autopilot, apparently.
It's not just a control in front of you, there's all sorts of other junk
scattered round the plane..

The plane has no "off" switch for the autopilot because it was
certified as "full time". There is a red interrupt button on the yoke
but the second you release it, the autopilot is back in control. Some
pilots put rubber bands on the button to hold it down when they don't
want it.

I don't like that idea at all. Even airliners have positive disconnects for
the autopilot.



It does sound a bit strange, but as far as I am concerned you would have
to experience it to actually judge that.