Just curious regarding A/P in real Aircraft.

[bbstackerf]

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

[Nexus]

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.

[beaky]

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.

[beefhole]

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...

[bbstackerf]

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

Keni

[Brett_Henderson]

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

[bbstackerf]

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

[beefhole]

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.

[Brett_Henderson]

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)

[beefhole]

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)

[Brett_Henderson]

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

[beefhole]

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?

[Brett_Henderson]

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.