Simviation Forums

At what point during approach towards an airport does the pilot get off autopilot. I watch several cockpit videos on the Youtube and it seemed to me that some pilots (including foreign air carriers) don't get off autopilot until close to landing. At least that's what I observed on the cockpit videio of a Lufthansa B747 landing in Frankfurt.

It depends on the policy of individual airlines when the auto pilot is turned off. The airline I work for, it is around the 500 ft point or visual on the VASI's. However, my answer is only based on observations from the jump seat. In an hour I can ask one of the two heros up front for a clear answer (just started nightshift :-/).

Matt

From my understanding, it would depend on the approach. While a normal approach I would figure the autopilot to be turned off when the pre-landing checks take place. At least, for the Piper Seminole, that's when it is made sure that the autopilot is disconnected. But an autopilot is used to perform a CAT III approach, there's certain specifications for that though. I think it's something like, there needs to be three autopilots for that sort of approach, then again, I'm just learning multi-engine stuff, so... don't quote me on anything.

It depends on the type of approach taking place, weather, airline policies, and airplane and runway equipment available for certain approaches.