Originally Posted by
India Four Two
I am surprised that the unfortunate pilot in this accident did not use the auto pilot to get himself out of trouble.
I'm not.
Correct use of the autopilot would require proper training and understanding of the system and regular practice. It would require, on the part of the pilot, the will to learn and understand the system and to retain the knowledge and maintain the currency. It would require him to have the presence of mind and discipline to identify the need to engage the AP when it started to go wrong.
If he'd know how to use the AP properly then he'd probably also have know how to check the weather properly and decide to turn back at the right time or even better not go in the first place.
If he'd known how to use the autopilot he would probably also have known about dressing properly for overwater flight and survival.
It gives me no pleasure or satisfaction to say this but to me the lack of proper use of the AP simply reflects all of the other things that were not done properly either.
OH