Autopilot use during approach

Anything you can legally fly by hand can also be flown by the autopilot,
since
you remain in command and can take over at any time; using autopilot is like
using trim in that case. However, you can't use the autopilot to fly
something you could not legally fly by hand unless both you and the aircraft
are certificated to do so. As long as you are flying an approach that you
can
legally fly by hand, whether or not you actually use the autopilot to fly it
is purely your choice.

In the Cirrus the autopilot manual (STEC 55X) did not permit operation
below 200 feet or when full flaps were deployed. Clearly a case where
you could legally fly by hand but not with the autopilot.

The STEC 55X in the Cirrus SR-22 also had a prohibition against using it
with indicated airspeeds above 180kts, as I recall (I sold my Cirrus a
while ago but I recall that being the number). The same limitation was
not present for hand flying.
---
Ken Reed
M20M, N9124X

--
Ken Reed
M20M, N9124X

Not just the autopilot manual, but the STC manual for that
autopilot in that particular airplane...



"ArtP" wrote in message
...
| On Sat, 14 Apr 2007 18:10:39 +0200, Mxsmanic

| wrote:
|
| ArtP writes:
|
| I can't remember ever seeing a modern manual without a
limitation of
| some sort.
|
| Yes, but I don't know that limitations on autopilot use
are universal.
|
| Universal is not relevant. You read the manual for the
autopilot you
| are using. It will tell you what your limitations with
that autopilot.
| If you don't have the manual in the plane then plane is
probably not
| airworthy. You won't know that for sure unless you read
the POM (Pilot
| Operation Manual) which is required to be in the plane for
it to be
| airworthy.
|

It could be magnetic interference with a sensor or a voltage
or current draw problem in that installation.



"LWG" wrote in message
. ..
| Wow. I never would have guessed that. What is the
rationale the
| landing lights, current draw?
|
| If your POH supplement for the autopilot has operating
limitations, it
| isn't legal to use contrary to those limitations. Mine
doesn't allow use
| of the autopilot with the landing lights on, for
example.
|
|

Ron Natalie writes:

But you said that there were none and that was wrong.

No, it was not. The FARs say nothing about it. So you _can_ use the
autopilot according to the FARs. Limitations in the manual are irrelevant
because they are specific to each aircraft. If there is a limitation in the
manual for your aircraft, you must respect it, but if there isn't, there is no
restriction.

--
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"Jim Macklin" writes:

It could be magnetic interference with a sensor or a voltage
or current draw problem in that installation.

Or it may be simply a legal restriction.

--
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Mxsmanic wrote:
Ron Natalie writes:

But you said that there were none and that was wrong.

No, it was not. The FARs say nothing about it. So you _can_ use the
autopilot according to the FARs. Limitations in the manual are irrelevant
because they are specific to each aircraft. If there is a limitation in the
manual for your aircraft, you must respect it, but if there isn't, there is no
restriction.

You said "You can use the autopilot anywhere you can hand fly."

That's an incorrect statement. It's not true in general, and
it's not true in practice.

You then backpeddled rather than admitting you were wrong and
said there is no FAR against it.

The FAR that applies that you refuse to let penetrate your leaden
head is 91.9. Limitations in the manual are quite relevent. You
won't find things like "THALL SHALT NOT OPERATE OVER GROSS" or
"THALL SHALT NOT PERFORM ACROBATICS IN YOUR BARON" in the FARs
either. That is because 91.9 says you MUST operate in accordance
to the limitations as expressed in the flight manuals, placards,
etc..

Autopilots are one of those things that are highly customized
to each installation and as I said, highly scrutinized by the FAA
when they issue the STC to allow it. There is not an autopilot
out there since 1969 that doesn't come with an bunch of additional
and legally binding material attached to it.

Ron Natalie writes:

You said "You can use the autopilot anywhere you can hand fly."

According to the FARs, yes.

The FAR that applies that you refuse to let penetrate your leaden
head is 91.9. Limitations in the manual are quite relevent.

I don't know why it is so difficult to distinguish between Federal Air
Regulations and manual limitations. Clearly, most pilots are not lawyers.

--
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Mxsmanic wrote:
Ron Natalie writes:

You said "You can use the autopilot anywhere you can hand fly."

According to the FARs, yes.

The FAR that applies that you refuse to let penetrate your leaden
head is 91.9. Limitations in the manual are quite relevent.

I don't know why it is so difficult to distinguish between Federal Air
Regulations and manual limitations. Clearly, most pilots are not lawyers.

I don't know why it is so hard for you to understasnd that the 91.9 says
you must follow the operating limitations, which makes it specifically
illegal to do otherwise.

Ron Natalie writes:

I don't know why it is so hard for you to understasnd that the 91.9 says
you must follow the operating limitations ...

If any.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Ron,

I don't know why it is so hard for you to understasnd


Yes, you DO know. He is a troll at best, an idiot at worst. Why do you
bother?

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)