New to group, taking a quick survey...

Brian,

All you private pilots, what kind of autopilot do you use?


You mean the new handheld ones? ;-)

What do you expect as an answer to that question? Renters will say:
"Whatever comes with the plane". Owners will say any one or several of
"What I could afford, what works with my plane, what integrated best
with my systems, what delivered the features I wanted".

So which of these aspects are of interest to you? Which kinds of planes
are of interest to you? What do you REALLY want to know?

The question you pose makes no sense.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...

Brian,

All you private pilots, what kind of autopilot do you use?


You mean the new handheld ones? ;-)

What do you expect as an answer to that question? Renters will say:
"Whatever comes with the plane". Owners will say any one or several of
"What I could afford, what works with my plane, what integrated best
with my systems, what delivered the features I wanted".

So which of these aspects are of interest to you? Which kinds of planes
are of interest to you? What do you REALLY want to know?

The question you pose makes no sense.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)


Just back from therapy???
The OP posed a direct question, how 'bout a direct answer???
Somethng like KFC 150 w/ altitude preselect and no yaw damping??? (that's
me).
Jeeesh.....

"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...
Brian,

All you private pilots, what kind of autopilot do you use?


You mean the new handheld ones? ;-)

What do you expect as an answer to that question? Renters will say:
"Whatever comes with the plane". Owners will say any one or several of
"What I could afford, what works with my plane, what integrated best
with my systems, what delivered the features I wanted".

So which of these aspects are of interest to you? Which kinds of planes
are of interest to you? What do you REALLY want to know?

The question you pose makes no sense.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

You're right Thomas. I have an ulterior motive. I'm really trying to find
the meaning of life by asking what kind of autopilot folks use. I thought
it was a simple question, but you sir have shown that its a very complicated
issue that maybe the government should get involved with. Thanks for your
enlightenment.
B

Brian,

I'm really trying to find
the meaning of life by asking what kind of autopilot folks use.


That's easy: 42, of course ;-)

I'm sorry if I did not bring it across very well (and possible sounding
annoyed, which I didn't intend to at all), but I'd really like to know
what you're aiming at with that broad a question which IMHO is bound to
deliver results that are not comparable. I just don't understand,
that's all.

FWIW, S-TEC 50.

Oh, and with regard to some of the answers in the thread, it might be
of interest that here in Germany, single-pilot IFR flying is only
allowed in an airplane with an operating two-axis autopilot.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...
Oh, and with regard to some of the answers in the thread, it might be
of interest that here in Germany, single-pilot IFR flying is only
allowed in an airplane with an operating two-axis autopilot.

That *is* interesting. Almost all my IMC flying here in the Northeastern US
is single-pilot with no autopilot.

--Gary

Gary Drescher wrote:
"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...
Oh, and with regard to some of the answers in the thread, it might be
of interest that here in Germany, single-pilot IFR flying is only
allowed in an airplane with an operating two-axis autopilot.

That *is* interesting. Almost all my IMC flying here in the Northeastern US
is single-pilot with no autopilot.

No kidding. I prefer to be hand flying the plane in IMC. If I use
autopilot, I tend to not pay enough attention to what's going on.

Emily,

I prefer to be hand flying the plane in IMC.


Handy flying in turbulent IMC while fishing for an approach chart or
even briefing and setting-up and approach can be, well, demanding.
"Demanding" in IMC is equivalent with increased risk.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...
Hand flying in turbulent IMC while fishing for an approach chart or
even briefing and setting-up and approach can be, well, demanding.
"Demanding" in IMC is equivalent with increased risk.

It's true that in turbulence, it becomes almost like driving a car in terms
of the need for paying second-to-second attention. Setting up for an
approach has to be done in a series of very brief diversions of attention.
But I find that with plenty of recent practice, the required procedures are
comfortably within my capabilities. I use my PC flight simulator to maintain
proficiency in conditions that are much more turbulent than I'd fly in for
real.

--Gary

Gary,

Almost all my IMC flying here in the Northeastern US
is single-pilot with no autopilot.


Well, each picks his/her own level of risk exposure. While I have come
to truly hate the overregulation of GA in Europe, this is one of the
few rules that makes at least a little sense to me. It is still
overregulation, though.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...
Almost all my IMC flying here in the Northeastern US
is single-pilot with no autopilot.

Well, each picks his/her own level of risk exposure. While I have come
to truly hate the overregulation of GA in Europe, this is one of the
few rules that makes at least a little sense to me. It is still
overregulation, though.

I wonder if the difference in regulation makes a noticeable difference in
safety. The Nall Report is a good summary of the accident and fatality
statistics for GA in the US. Do you know of a comparable summary for Europe?
(http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/05nall.pdf)

Thanks,
Gary