Autopilot

Salutations All,

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've been spending time learning IFR navigation in FS 2004, and while
up and about I'm constantly getting different instructions from the
controllers, things like "climb to FL200" or stuff like that. What I've
found, though, is that the easiest way to make these minor course and
altitude corrections is to just punch it into the autopilot, and let it
do the work. This is, of course, exceptionally boring - and thus my
question!

Anyways, any insights anyone can give would be most appreciated!
Thanks!

Bryan Porter
==

Can't speak for commercial pilots since I'm not one (yet). However, I
don't use my AP. Of course, that's because it's broken right now...not
to mention the fact that as an instrument student, hand flying more than
letting George fly means I'll be able to keep the shiny side up and the
greasy side down when George goes on the fritz while I'm in solid IMC.
Oh, and it's only a single axis auto pilot so altitude is always up to me.


--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-IA Student
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

I use mine for about 95% of each flight for all my commercial and
personal flying, excluding training and checkrides.

how much do commercial
aviation pilots use their auto-pilot?

Dunno about commercial pilots (I'm a PP, SEL) but I never use mine. I
don't feel like I'm flying if I don't have my own hand on the yoke, and
that's IFR or VFR.

Jose
--
You can choose whom to befriend, but you cannot choose whom to love.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Airlines use the AP for most of the flight because they save
fuel. But still most means that some is hand flown, usually
take-off to 500 or 1,000 feet and about half of the
approach.

When I had passengers, I used the autopilot in the King Airs
because it was smoother and wasn't being asked "where is the
coffee?" But I hand flew probably 20% at cruise and split
the approach phase so I knew how to operate the AP properly
and hand fly with the needles never more than 1 dot off.

In years past, use of the autopilots was rarely taught and
even less tested during practical tests. When I got the
type rating in the King Air 300, the single-pilot test did
not allow you to turn the AP ON at all. You could use the
FD which is close to operating the AP. In the light jets, a
type rating test has required that the pilot demonstrate
mastery of the autopilot and the pilot is expect to use it
during flight. Now, the recent practical test standards
[PTS] require that the pilot be able to use all the
equipment in the airplane and that includes the autopilot.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


wrote in message
oups.com...
| Salutations All,
|
| 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've been spending time learning IFR navigation in FS
2004, and while
| up and about I'm constantly getting different instructions
from the
| controllers, things like "climb to FL200" or stuff like
that. What I've
| found, though, is that the easiest way to make these minor
course and
| altitude corrections is to just punch it into the
autopilot, and let it
| do the work. This is, of course, exceptionally boring -
and thus my
| question!
|
| Anyways, any insights anyone can give would be most
appreciated!
| Thanks!
|
| Bryan Porter
| ==
|

wrote:
Salutations All,

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,

I guess the typical actions and sounds from the flight deck at the
beginning of a journey would be:


"You have flight controls?" "Yep"
"Takeoff power set"
After about 90% of the takeoff roll: "V1" (or "Go")
3 secs later: "Rotate"
5 secs later: "Gear up"
10 secs later: "Retract all flaps"

About a minute later, the Cap'n would hit the AutoPilot button and
that's it. The AP disengagement would come roughly 2 min before
touchdown, unless you're in an A320/330/340 where even touchdowns are
accomplished with a stewardess on the lap, as Cap'n Doug will fume but
admit )

Ramapriya

wrote:
Salutations All,

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?


If I'm in an aircraft with an autopilot, I use it constantly for the cruise
portion of the flight on cross countries. I always hand fly climbouts and
approaches.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE

In article .com, wrote:
Salutations All,

Greetings and Salutations, Earthling. :-)

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'm neither IFR rated nor a CPL holder, but another good place to ask is
in rec.aviation.ifr.

I've been spending time learning IFR navigation in FS 2004, and while
up and about I'm constantly getting different instructions from the
controllers, things like "climb to FL200" or stuff like that. What I've
found, though, is that the easiest way to make these minor course and
altitude corrections is to just punch it into the autopilot, and let it
do the work. This is, of course, exceptionally boring - and thus my
question!

The way you're using it sounds like it's being used as a crutch.

The AP is indeed a very nice tool, but not infallible.

Best to master the basics 'the long way', *then* use the AP as needed.

Why? This article sums it up nicely:

https://flighttraining.aopa.org/cfi_...m?article=5121

(Login not required to read, I think?)

As for your question on when the AP is used by CPL pilots... well, it
depends. Often, it will be used in high workload situations.

Best examples: within the terminal area of a major airport or when
encountering rough weather. In both cases, the use of the autopilot
allows them to spend greater attention on higher priority things.

(But as someone else with autopilot use here recently noted, if the
weather is really rough, the autopilot may disconnect due to deviation
past maximum limits.)

Some people like to use them when not required. That's ok; they know how
to do things 'by hand' if needed, and could do it right there and then
if required.

-Dan

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