If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
"STICKMONKE" wrote in message ... I got my IFR rating 7 months ago. I use the KAP140 autopilot a lot. From climb-out to MDA/DA. I find it really helps in my management of the plane and the IFR flight. I am interested in comments regarding the pros and cons of a heavy use/reliance on the autopilot. Just like the cruise control on your car, there's times to use and times not to. For departure, it's highly recommended to enhance your concentration on the traffic scan. Same for approaches. OTOH, don't forget how to handle things when the AP goes tits up. At least you don't have the King AP/FD-150...a POS. Remember, too, that people have fallen asleep with the cruise on their cars (and at cruise with the AP...been there, done that one :~( ). On departure, use airspeed hold, rather than Rate of Climb if the 140 has it. If not, monitor your AS/ROC. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
In article ,
"STICKMONKE" wrote: I got my IFR rating 7 months ago. I use the KAP140 autopilot a lot. From climb-out to MDA/DA. I find it really helps in my management of the plane and the IFR flight. I am interested in comments regarding the pros and cons of a heavy use/reliance on the autopilot. The only real con of the autopilot is that it's too easy to become dependent on it and let your hand-flying skills degrade to the point there you're in trouble if George quits. Turn it off every once in a while and hand-fly to stay in shape. Don't just click on the A/P and zone out. Take advantage of the workload reduction it gives you to stay further ahead of the airplane. Pull out those approach charts earlier and brief the approaches you might end up doing. Get on the radio and talk to Flight Watch to find out what the weather is up ahead. Update your flight planning to make sure that re-route ATC gave you didn't eat into your fuel budget too much. And, above all, keep up your instrument scan! If George wigs out and puts you into an unusual attitude, you've still got to recognize it and recover. |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
Matt Barrow wrote:
"Sam Spade" wrote in message news:Q5F6g.175210$bm6.21298@fed1read04... With a panel mount IFR GPS, you can easily fail to do a traffic watch or perhaps properly control the airplane when not using an autopilot. Why would a panel mount GPS make much difference, compared to a hand held, or VOR/airways vector? I was referring to IFR operations with IFR equipment. A panel mount is much more difficult to operate than a FMS/LNAV platform. "VOR/Airways vector?" I am not sure I understand your question. Is it one question or two? Setting up a VOR airway is a much simpler task than programing an airway on a non-airway-database panel mount. Once everything is set up and underway there is little difference in the task of VOR or panel-mount GPS navigation. But, everytime something significant has to be changed, it requires more concentration and cross-check to program the panel mount than a VOR set. Vectors are vectors. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
"Sam Spade" wrote in message news:lZJ6g.175221$bm6.68992@fed1read04... Matt Barrow wrote: "Sam Spade" wrote in message news:Q5F6g.175210$bm6.21298@fed1read04... With a panel mount IFR GPS, you can easily fail to do a traffic watch or perhaps properly control the airplane when not using an autopilot. Why would a panel mount GPS make much difference, compared to a hand held, or VOR/airways vector? I was referring to IFR operations with IFR equipment. A panel mount is much more difficult to operate than a FMS/LNAV platform. Okay, that makes sense (for someone not well versed in the GPS's operation). "VOR/Airways vector?" I am not sure I understand your question. Is it one question or two? Two (either/or) Setting up a VOR airway is a much simpler task than programing an airway on a non-airway-database panel mount. Once everything is set up and underway there is little difference in the task of VOR or panel-mount GPS navigation. But, everytime something significant has to be changed, it requires more concentration and cross-check to program the panel mount than a VOR set. Vectors are vectors. Sam, you're one of the most knowledgable people in here, but your communications (writing) leaves much to be desired by those of us that don't read minds (intentions, contexts). |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
They sure are nice on a long trip. I always fly my climbouts and
approaches by hand though. Don't get rusty at hand flying, whatever you do. And learn your autopilot failure modes... |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
Matt Barrow wrote:
"Sam Spade" wrote in message news:lZJ6g.175221$bm6.68992@fed1read04... Matt Barrow wrote: "Sam Spade" wrote in message news:Q5F6g.175210$bm6.21298@fed1read04... With a panel mount IFR GPS, you can easily fail to do a traffic watch or perhaps properly control the airplane when not using an autopilot. Why would a panel mount GPS make much difference, compared to a hand held, or VOR/airways vector? I was referring to IFR operations with IFR equipment. A panel mount is much more difficult to operate than a FMS/LNAV platform. Okay, that makes sense (for someone not well versed in the GPS's operation). "VOR/Airways vector?" I am not sure I understand your question. Is it one question or two? Two (either/or) Setting up a VOR airway is a much simpler task than programing an airway on a non-airway-database panel mount. Once everything is set up and underway there is little difference in the task of VOR or panel-mount GPS navigation. But, everytime something significant has to be changed, it requires more concentration and cross-check to program the panel mount than a VOR set. Vectors are vectors. Sam, you're one of the most knowledgable people in here, but your communications (writing) leaves much to be desired by those of us that don't read minds (intentions, contexts). How have I failed to communicate? |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
"Sam Spade" wrote in message news:_oM6g.175224$bm6.117405@fed1read04... Matt Barrow wrote: Sam, you're one of the most knowledgable people in here, but your communications (writing) leaves much to be desired by those of us that don't read minds (intentions, contexts). How have I failed to communicate? Notice how many people are completely confounded by what you write. You have to write to _the audience_, not to yourself. |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
The biggest "con" I've observed is that it sometimes gives the
passengers the impression that you're not working hard enough. I actually had a passenger say to me, "What am I paying you all this money for? This is easy, you're just pressing buttons! I could do that myself!" |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
On 05/05/06 11:18, Brien K. Meehan wrote:
The biggest "con" I've observed is that it sometimes gives the passengers the impression that you're not working hard enough. I actually had a passenger say to me, "What am I paying you all this money for? This is easy, you're just pressing buttons! I could do that myself!" Well, it's the old TV repair mantra: Turning one screw: $ 0.05 Knowing which screw to turn: $ 99.95 ;-) -- Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane Cal Aggie Flying Farmers Sacramento, CA |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
AUTOPILOT PROS & CONS
Give him the yoke and disengage the a/p and say, "go on then"
Brien K. Meehan wrote: The biggest "con" I've observed is that it sometimes gives the passengers the impression that you're not working hard enough. I actually had a passenger say to me, "What am I paying you all this money for? This is easy, you're just pressing buttons! I could do that myself!" |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Experimental Catagory: Pros and Cons? | [email protected] | Soaring | 18 | April 16th 06 10:56 PM |
Long Tow Rope Pros & Cons | chris | Soaring | 7 | December 10th 03 02:30 PM |
Aluminum vs Fiberglass landing gear - Pro's and cons. | Bart Hull | Home Built | 1 | November 24th 03 02:46 PM |
Aluminum vs Fiberglass landing gear - Pro's and cons. | Bart Hull | Home Built | 2 | November 24th 03 05:23 AM |
Aluminum vs Fiberglass landing gear - Pro's and cons. | Bart Hull | Home Built | 0 | November 24th 03 03:52 AM |