737 Autopilot, when engaging..
Hi folks
As I teach it for JAR, I'm trying to get the correct answer to this question;
What happens when you engage an autopilot in terms of stability enhancement, and or AF modes that engage automatically. Please assume that the FD is off and no modes are armed or selected at the time you engage the AP.
Possible answers are;
1. The aircraft will level the wings and provide lateral stability.
2. Pitch attitude will be maintained (Longitudinal stability).
3. Vertical speed will be maintained (V/S is engaged automatically)
...and so on. So, could you Pilots who are actually flying, in particular, the 737 please let me know what would happen. All the literature I've read goes in to detail on the modes, as does this site, but does not specify what you get on initial selection of an AP.
Many thanks in advance.