Are autopilots allowed for IFR training?

In article ,
Blanche wrote:

Roy Smith wrote:
Blanche wrote:
Me, personally, have a 1/2-axis autopilot. Turn it on, it holds
the heading. Well, not really. Since it's not coupled to anything,
it doesn't know when there's any deviation, such as winds. I can
start out on a heading of 120, turn on the AP. If winds
are from the north, then my actual track is more southerly, depending
on the strength of the winds.

I assume you understand the difference between heading and track?

Heading: direction in which the longitudinal axis of the aircraft
points with respect to true or magnetic north. Heading is equal to
course plus or minus any wind correction angle.

Course: intended direction of flight in the horizontal plane measured
in degrees from north.

Track: actual flight path of an aircraft over the ground. Also referred
to as ground track.

Ref: Aviation Dictionary, Jeppesen, 2003.

OK - my bad. I should have stated "start out on a course of 120". But
the use of "track" is correct, true?

Yeah, I think you got it. I was a little worried from the way you phrased
things originally.

Blanche,

I can
start out on a heading of 120, turn on the AP. If winds
are from the north, then my actual track is more southerly, depending
on the strength of the winds.


Your heading would remain 120, however.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Mxsmanic wrote in
:

Can you use an autopilot when training for or being examined for an
instrument rating, or do you have to fly the aircraft by hand?


A question like this might be best asked on Rec.Aviation.Student.

Judah wrote:
Mxsmanic wrote in
:


Can you use an autopilot when training for or being examined for an
instrument rating, or do you have to fly the aircraft by hand?



A question like this might be best asked on Rec.Aviation.Student.
This guy's not a student. He's a nag with Microsoft Flight Simulator
that won't bother to take any of the suggestions provided here.

Judah writes:

A question like this might be best asked on Rec.Aviation.Student.

Because licensed pilots don't have instrument ratings?

--
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Mxsmanic wrote in
:

Judah writes:

A question like this might be best asked on Rec.Aviation.Student.

Because licensed pilots don't have instrument ratings?


No, because Rec.Aviation.Piloting is a forum for pilots to discuss flying
planes. Rec.Aviation.Student is a forum for flight students to discuss flight
training and flight testing standards. A question about whether an autopilot
is permitted during a flight test applies to the latter.



A bit of respect might go a long way...

Judah writes:

No, because Rec.Aviation.Piloting is a forum for pilots to discuss flying
planes. Rec.Aviation.Student is a forum for flight students to discuss flight
training and flight testing standards. A question about whether an autopilot
is permitted during a flight test applies to the latter.

What's the definition of a pilot?

A bit of respect might go a long way...

I'm unmoved by disrespect, but you're welcome to try, if you wish.

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Mxsmanic wrote in
:

Judah writes:

No, because Rec.Aviation.Piloting is a forum for pilots to discuss
flying planes. Rec.Aviation.Student is a forum for flight students to
discuss flight training and flight testing standards. A question about
whether an autopilot is permitted during a flight test applies to the
latter.

What's the definition of a pilot?

What is the definition of a student?

Yes.

In point of fact many large ac are not hand flown, except rarely.

In point of fact, gear up, ap on, autoland armed on approach. Or it is
taken at minimums.

On very large ac, there really is no hand flying happening. And with
three autopilots, it is not even considered to be a possible failure.
Meaning on rides, you can, without penalty, rely on "Otto". Yes even
with an engine out.

Mxsmanic wrote:

Can you use an autopilot when training for or being examined for an
instrument rating, or do you have to fly the aircraft by hand?

The Visitor writes:

Yes.

In point of fact many large ac are not hand flown, except rarely.

In point of fact, gear up, ap on, autoland armed on approach. Or it is
taken at minimums.

On very large ac, there really is no hand flying happening. And with
three autopilots, it is not even considered to be a possible failure.
Meaning on rides, you can, without penalty, rely on "Otto". Yes even
with an engine out.

If I can do everything on autopilot, I might as well go out and pick
up an instrument rating right now. It's easier to fly in low
visibility with a good autopilot than it is to hand-fly the plane in
VMC. And if there's a complete flight management system on board, it
becomes more of a course in computer programming than a form of
flight, although I guess one can still get satisfaction from taxis to
and from the runway (I know some systems can take you from gate to
gate, but I don't know if anyone is using them).

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