Autopilot

Dan Foster wrote:
The AP is indeed a very nice tool, but not infallible.

Sounds comparable to cruise control with driving.

I don't have an aviation background. Can autopilot do the takeoff and
landing?

Tim923 wrote:

I don't have an aviation background. Can autopilot do the takeoff and landing?


Of course. You can program any Airbus A320/330/340/380 to fly itself,
using its FMGS. All you need to do manually is taxi it to the edge of
the runway, and taxi it away again after completion of the landing
roll. The entire flight can be pilotless.

Don't ask me why such Airbuses aren't certified for pilotless flight;
union pressures, perhaps )

Ramapriya

Competing airline advertising themes would be "Our planes have pilots."

"Ramapriya" wrote in message

Don't ask me why such Airbuses aren't certified for pilotless flight;
union pressures, perhaps )

Ramapriya

"Ramapriya" wrote in message oups.com...
Tim923 wrote:

I don't have an aviation background. Can autopilot do the takeoff and landing?


Of course. You can program any Airbus A320/330/340/380 to fly itself,
using its FMGS. All you need to do manually is taxi it to the edge of
the runway, and taxi it away again after completion of the landing
roll. The entire flight can be pilotless.

Don't ask me why such Airbuses aren't certified for pilotless flight;
union pressures, perhaps )

Ramapriya


The 747 has been capable of this for years, since ~69 or so. The pilot does have to advance the throttles though...

In article ,
..Blueskies. wrote:

The 747 has been capable of this for years, since ~69 or so. The pilot
does have to advance the throttles though...

With the 744, I don't believe VNAV kicks in until 400 ft AGL. Below
400', you've got LNAV/FD/autothrottles.

-Dan

".Blueskies." wrote in message

The 747 has been capable of this for years, since ~69 or so. The pilot
does have to advance the throttles though...


Not in all cases. I flew -100s and -200s. Some of the -200s were
autothrottle equipped.

"Ramapriya" wrote in message

Don't ask me why such Airbuses aren't certified for pilotless flight;
union pressures, perhaps )

Unmanned flight has been feasible for several years. There is no concerted
effort to implement such a program in the airline world for the simple
reason that no one would get on the airplane.

"John Gaquin" wrote in message
news
Unmanned flight has been feasible for several years. There is no
concerted
effort to implement such a program in the airline world for the simple
reason that no one would get on the airplane.

Basically, "If I'm going to die in this plane, I want there to be a
reasonable chance that the pilot will also"...

In article .com,
wrote:

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?

I am not Commercial rated but am Instrument rated PPL.
Best answer for light GA aircraft is that it depends on the flight.
If it is a long trip and/or heavy controls, i use the AP so my hand
doesn't cramp up ( using just the thumb and first two fingers on the
controls).
If flying single pilot in IMC, it is easier monitor the flight and study
approach charts, copy wx and clearances, etc with the AP engaged.
The AP will fly smoother in turbulence than by hand flying.
For just general cruising around, I don't use it at all.

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)