DrivingAloft

Hi! I got a job with a company overseas flying classi 737s. Most of our procedures come directly from Boeing AFM/FCOM.
One of the things I came across and really supprised me is that, the company requires you to use the autopilot for everything. I mean, you train in the sim handflying with and without FD, but they say that's just for the sim. In real flyiing you are required to engage VNAV and LNAV after T/O to all the way to app mins.. You can handfly a little but usually you have the AP on by the time you reach 5000'. For precision and non-precision you are required to use the AP. NO HANDFLYING. and even for visuals, you are required to use the AP until established on final. I surely understand that is very common to use the AP in day to day ops, but I'm not used to this reliance on AP/FCCs. I flown glass before (CRJ), and surely the FMS and AP can do everything for you, but my previous company FOM stated that the pilot should be and maintain proficency in all modes of flying. (AP,FD, MANDUAL).

Can some of you guys (specially 737 drivers) share some insight on you particular company policy? I think more than half of our pilots can't handfly an app. in IMC. When I asked why are we required to use the AP at all times instead of being optional, they answered me: "the airplane is designed to be flown with the AP/FMC at all times, you are not supposed to handfly".

JetFlyer06

Hello,

I am on the DC-9 at Delta (Northwest). Classic style cockpit as well. We can hand fly as much as we want except in RVSM, or on CAT II approaches. In fact, on a single engine approach inside the marker we HAVE to hand fly the airplane.

buzzpat

I fly the 800 and 700 for DAL. No such rules for us, other than to use automation to the max extent possible during high workloads. Most guys handfly on the climb out until at least through 10,000, some all the way up to cruise. On approach, it depends on IMC, VMC, etc. I punch it off early if I'm VMC and cleared visual. I keep it engaged when on an instrument approach until about 1000. Every guy is a little different. Sometimes you're setting yourself to get behind the jet if you trust the a/p to get you down. Perfect example here in LA, is a visual into Orange County. Coming across the hills, I punch it off because I can get down and stabilized quicker than George can.

Adlerdriver

Don't you mean until they reach RVSM airspace?

Rebuilt

I would hand-fly the 727 and 737 a lot. Most of the time I would hand-fly until at least FL180 and often up to cruise altitude.

In the descent, sometimes the autopilot came off well before 18,000 and stay off all the way to landing. I routinely turn off the autopilot for the final vectors to the approach. Even when the ceilings and visibility were low, I would sometimes brief that I would hand-fly the approach.

Sadly, too many line pilots and of course the chief pilot types wondered why I did not have the autopilot engaged, and a few were outright unhappy.

When I have announced that I would disengage the auto-throttles in flight, the other pilot would be horrified! What could I be thinking!!!

I fly with pilots that auto everything from takeoff to landing.

captjns

US expat contract TRE/TRI pilot flying the -800. Outside busy TMAs, hand fly to your heart’s content up to FL240. Within busy TMAs all automatics used to their full extent until vectored to the intercept course. Circling approaches at night… A/P required. Circling approaches during day operations, pilot flying discretion. Visual approaches… knock your socks off.

buzzpat

Until initial level off. That's what I mean. Intermediate level offs and the automation comes on.

DrivingAloft

Yeah I know those kind of pilots....... they get really nervous if something malfunctions or they have to handfly. They are more worried about twisting knobs and pressing buttons on the FMS and actually flying the aircraft.
That's why I like to be sharp in handflying in any situation, APP, prec. non-prec, VMC, IMC. Actually, the more I practice, the more confident and relax I feel at all times. That's why I'm pro-handflying practice, at least one every few legs.

Rebuilt

When I was a small lad, I did not dream of becoming a pilot so I can watch all the automation do all the flying.

Also, keeping proficient might one day help when all the magic fails, the weather is down the tubes, and things are going wrong with the airplane.

chuckyt1

Our FOM, (UAL), says "should be available and engaged during level cruise"...

I take that to mean I can handfly all the way to 390.