Simviation Forums

Just curious. When I fly an aircraft in the sim, basically from just after takeoff to just before final approach I usually set the auto pilot to keep the correct altitude and heading. The only time I don't is when I'm flying a smaller a/c for fun or 'checking out the scenery'.

My question is, in a real a/c would this be acceptable, or do most real pilots only use auto pilot for extreme IRF conditions or during long stretches between course and or altitude corrections?

Keni

individual. Some pilots may handfly the aircraft to 10.000ft and then engage it. While some pilots like to engage if just after clean-up at around 2000-3000ft etc.

But keep in mind that no one flies the aircraft as cost efficient as the AP, and airlines encourage their crews to take advantage of automatic flight.

Never used one myself, but sure, lots of people use them for as much of a VFR flight as they can. There are even quite a few light planes with partial autopilots- that is, "wing-levelers". They won't hold   a heading per se, but will keep restoring the plane to negative bank if disturbed by turbulence (up to a point); very convenient sometimes.

Well, Nexus has already said it, but to calrify, yes, it would be acceptbale.

There's a full AP in the 172s that I fly but it's never even been mentioned...

Thanks for the responses, guys. I feel better knowing I'm not doing something that wouldn't be realistic.

Keni

Two of our Cessnas have auto-pilots. The 172 has a legit heading hold.. It chases the heading bug and holds it pretty darn well. It's also "supposed" to track a VOR radial, but I'm not sold

Cool. Thanks for the input, Brett. I got to sit in the right seat in a Cesnna 206 on a Sedona air tour. Me being an avid simmer just sat there trying to take in everything the pilot was doing.  ;D

Keni

Just to clarify (again ) bb, to the vast majority of pilots using the AP consistently (or at all) on a 172 (or like GA aircraft) would be completely unacceptable.  Almost all pilots completely handfly smaller aircraft.

Just to clarify (again ) bb, to the vast majority of pilots using the AP consistently (or at all) on a 172 (or like GA aircraft) would be completely unacceptable.  Almost all pilots completely handfly smaller aircraft.

If you say so...

(that's too silly to comment on)

If you say so...

(that's too silly to comment on)

Please note I said "the vast majority."  I do not know of a single pilot who would applaud (or even condone for that matter) the use of the AP in, say, a 172.  Not even for IFR.  I'm not really sure the point is arguable, but if your experience is different, please share. (I personally find it more fulfilling than a snide comment)

I said in an earlier post.. that on longer flights, as soon as I'm level and trimmed, I'll engage an auto-pilot if one's available.

I've been flying for 26 years, 600+ hours, intrument and commercial rated and a checkride away from becoming a CFI.

Your infinite wisdom deemed my flying (and the flying of the

My word choice as poor, yes.  Don't try to pass off your comment as anything but rude however, Brett.

Every GA pilot I've talked to-and there's plenty of them-hand flies their aircraft, every time, all the time.  What I meant to say was the majority of GA pilots hand fly their aircraft almost all the time.  Whereas in larger planes use of the AP is essential and a major part of the curriculum, use of the AP is often ignored in, say, a Private Pilot course as most instructors want their students to be able to hand fly always. The AP is usually taught, at best, as a little bonus.

It always annoys me when I **** up and give people the wrong impression-I preach putting yourself in your place, and not pretending to have more knowledge than one actually does.  Again, my word choice was poor.  Could we agree on the above?

I'm sure we'd agree on a lot of things where internet BBS's weren't the only way we communicated. Word choices and manners get lost quickly.

I just found myself a bit incredulous to be told that on a long flight, at the same altitude and heading, use of an autopilot was an unacceptable practice.. and I should have said as much two posts ago. Noboby appreciates and enjoys hand-flying more than I. However, you can monitor the gyro/compass and altimeter just fine (and all the engine gauges(probably better)) without having to constantly adjust your heading and trim. Not to mention saved time/fuel and reduced pilot fatigue.