Fancy Automated things...

shinysideup

shinysideup

New Member
I just saw this on my general topics thread page...

"Hello shinysideup it appears that you have not posted on our forums in approximately a month, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help provide a solution or just engage in a conversation with another member in any one of our forums?"

Doug...not to sure about this. I want to say thats cool, but kinda creepy. There is something in the back of my mind that says.."doug is watching me, he knows I haven't visited, the walls are closing in, and the monkeys need out...AAAAHHHHHH,,,, no wait that is probably automated. Whew!!"

So here is my question: Anyone know that whole meaning of life thing yet? (no to broad).

Back to the title of the post: For all you professional pilots out there, I don't want to leave my 402 job cause I think that all the 121 guys don't hand fly enough. I haven't turned on my auto pilot in months except to test it before flight.

How often do you guys hand fly approaches?

I will start...every single approach I hand fly down VFR or 1800'. The only coupled approaches I have done are on my recurrents to demonstrate that I know how to use it. (by the way it scares me the way it flies)
 
If it's VMC I'll hand fly as soon as cleared for the approach unless it is some sort of 25 miles straight in final and then I'll let George take it down the ILS. IMC... depends. If I am tired or the weather is truly crap, I'll let the autopilot take it down to about 1000 or if I'm really lazy 100 AGL.

The problem in the CRJ is that a) the autopilot sucks and you spend a lot of time pitching up and down and bracketing the LOC and b) when you do click off the autopilot it is very often out of trim and pitches a large amount... not something you really want the plane doing 100 feet off the ground in 1600 RVR.
 
I'm pretty sure they're automatically generated messages :)

I don't think Doug sits around going through the membership list by hand searching for people who've had a month lapse between posts.
 
I hand fly it a lot. Two examples:

- Flying it a dot above GS to avoid a 75's wake turbulence down an ILS in marginal conditions (not adequate enough for 35/17 in PHL).

- Some of LGA and DCA's departures are much easier to hand fly than to twist knobs.

I think you have a great job, but I certainly think you can hand fly it to your heart's content in the 121 world... wouldn't let it irk you!

J.
 
BobDDuck said:
The problem in the CRJ is that a) the autopilot sucks and you spend a lot of time pitching up and down and bracketing the LOC and b) when you do click off the autopilot it is very often out of trim and pitches a large amount... not something you really want the plane doing 100 feet off the ground in 1600 RVR.
Click to expand...

I have been flying any approach hand, but then again I want the experience and I am also only doing them at 110kts (or slower).

I have always made sure that before disconnecting the AP I have a firm hold of the controls knowing that I might need to hold that position with trim out a wack. Can you do that in the -200?
 
ComplexHiAv8r said:
I have been flying any approach hand, but then again I want the experience and I am also only doing them at 110kts (or slower).

I have always made sure that before disconnecting the AP I have a firm hold of the controls knowing that I might need to hold that position with trim out a wack. Can you do that in the -200?
Click to expand...

We have our hand on the yoke on a coupled ILS in case anything gets shady. However, the CRJ has a "post-a/p rigor mortis twitch" upon disconnect, so it's hard to hold it in the attitude it previously held. Also, the pitch attitudes on the RJ are small yet make a big difference coming down the pike at 146 knots and 47,000 pounds - even a little "twitch of the pitch" will be noticed on the GS. Hope that helped!
 
C150J said:
However, the CRJ has a "post-a/p rigor mortis twitch" upon disconnect
Click to expand...

That's awesome. I don't know if you've tried it, but disconnecting the autopilot by hitting the NU (push down) trim and then canceling the warning with the a/p disconnect button actually kills off most of the twitch.
 
MQAAord said:
I don't think Doug sits around going through the membership list by hand searching for people who've had a month lapse between posts.
Click to expand...

Hell, apart from training, I've barely had time for anything other than sanity breaks! :)
 
BobDDuck said:
That's awesome. I don't know if you've tried it, but disconnecting the autopilot by hitting the NU (push down) trim and then canceling the warning with the a/p disconnect button actually kills off most of the twitch.
Click to expand...

Now THAT is awesome - I will definitely try it... Thanks!
 
I generally hand fly every other instrument approach. Some approaches require that they are hand flown like MRY. Others are required to be coupled, such as the ILS PRM approach into SFO. In order to be comfortable in either situation, I alternate. You may find that you need that A/P so it would be good to get comfortable with it.

When I get the visual, it's autopilot off and hand fly. That's a kick in the Bro!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top