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

"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"


SET THURST............. V1, Rotate, V2, posite rate, gear up, set speed
mode, set heading mode........... autopilot on (passing 500'). allow plane
to climb to "accelleration altidue" roughly 1200 agl, then transition from
initial climb speed of 190 to 250 on the autopilot, managing the transition
with vertical speed mode to keep the plane from diving for the airspeed
(changing airspeed setting changes climb rate, the CRJ does not have auto
throttles), when passing V2+20 flaps 8, V2+20 Flaps up, all done under
autopilot. Kick it off when you hear GPWS call out "100" on a precision
approach, handfly the last 80feet (bout where you will be by the time your
finger pushes the disconnect button) to touchdown, kick off and handfly when
inbound FAF and have field in sight on a nonprecision approach. Fly raw
data approaches from time to time for practice (no flight director no
autopilot, just HSI, airspeed, and altitude). CRJ actually has "footrests"
on the panel to keep the nonflying pilot from putting scuffmarks on the PFDs
and MFDs. Even single engine flying is done with autopilot, tho u need to
keep a watch out that it doesnt' take the rudder to the disconnect limit,
and if it does be ready to handfly the sucker.

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

Mortimer Schnerd, RN wrote:
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.

I concurr with this philosophy and probably the majority of pilots do this.
My airplane does not have a coupled auto-pilot so I need to fly instrument
approaches by hand, which I don't mind because I don't do it multiple times
a day. If I did, then I would most definately want to have (and use) a
coupled auto pilot for the approaches as well. Of course I would occasionally
hand fly them just to break the monotony and maintain proficiency.

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