Handflying Policy in your Airline

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12-17-2009, 01:18 PM

#41

supersix-4

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Aug 2005

Position: Reserve on tha Beach

Posts: 546

if you are flying the true classic, then autopilot will only hold alt. not a roc. so, level-off then up, over and down.... autopilot engaged..

12-17-2009, 01:20 PM

#42

Phantom Flyer

Snakes & Nape

Joined APC: Nov 2006

Position: B-767 Captain

Posts: 775

We Have a Winner

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dominican

As smart as the pilot group that frequents APC is, they won't be able to find it because there isn't.

If it is on your company SOP's it becomes regulatory, granted. But there is no restrictions on hand flying an A/C anywhere in the requirements for RVSM flight in the regulations at all. One thing is the regulation and another thing is your company SOP's

Thank you Dominican for the correct answer. The only reason I even brought it up was that we traveled this same road a month or so ago and several folks were of the opinion that autopilot usage was required during level flight in RVSM.

As you correctly pointed out, IF your company SOP/FOM/GOM requires the crew to use the autopilot in cruise flight (RVSM), then so be it. I've never seen that requirement where I've worked but that doesn't mean anything. From a regulatory requirement, there is no requirement to have the autopilot engaged in RVSM and if one want to hand fly the aircraft, go fo it. I personally think that "George" does a better and certainly more efficient job. Besides, who wants to hand fly when we have bid packages to work on, crew meals to eat and crossword puzzles to do !

Have a bodaceous day Mates

12-17-2009, 01:35 PM

#43

IrishTiger

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Joined APC: Sep 2009

Posts: 298

For those that have talked about the E170/75, i think you have explained something I've been curious about for a long time.

As a passenger in the back, I've noticed the engines rev up and down a lot on approach. It's really weird. Now I know it's the AT and not the pilots!

12-17-2009, 01:45 PM

#44

fedupbusdriver

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Apr 2006

Position: A300/310 Capt

Posts: 1,642

I think that it is a requirement to have the autopilot engaged in RSVM airspace "If you have your laptop out".

12-17-2009, 06:31 PM

#45

jimcav

On Reserve

Joined APC: Jan 2009

Position: 737ca

Posts: 11

I still love flying airplanes. I'm too cheap to go out and rent a cessna, so I have to get my jollies flying my 737. Cleared for the visual means all automation off. I wish more pilots at my company felt this way. I see alot of people not taking much pride in their work, to put it nicely. I think a lot of them are afraid to handfly. Just practice a bit. If you had it before it will come back. If you didn't....

12-17-2009, 06:57 PM

#46

Adlerdriver

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Jul 2007

Position: 767 Captain

Posts: 3,989

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy

Oklatex:

Is it true that FedEx requires the ATS and AP to be on during all approaches?

Follow up, do guys go against the policy if indeed it is true?

No requirement for ATS or AP at Fedex. I click them off all the time when conditions permit.

12-17-2009, 09:36 PM

#47

IrishTiger

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Sep 2009

Posts: 298

I handfly quite often. I enjoy flying my approaches myself, unless the weather is really crappy.

I had a captain recently yell at me for clicking off the autopilot on a non-precision approach going into ORD (LOC 28) I was about 1000ft and was just about to break out. I clicked it off and 5 seconds later we broke out. He made a HUGE deal out of it. He went on to say I had nothing to prove, and if I tried that at a major airline I'd get sent back to the sim and get in a lot of trouble. He said automation should be used at ALL times in IMC, and should not be disconnected until the airport is in sight.