B737 Autoland capability in 1 ch only

[PEI_3721]

Originally Posted by Wizofoz

We had a Sim detail which brught this out. the senerio was dispatch with one A/P U/S (Quite ok by the MEL) than thick cockpoit smoke making it virtuallu impossible to see out (happened to Value-jet). A single A/P Approach and autoland was the best soution.
Topslide, it's silly to suggest that ANY capability the aircraft has, whether certified or not, should not be understood and available in an emergeny as per above.

A common human trait seen in this and other threads is for pilots to believe that the aircraft will behave in the same way as the simulator, CBT, etc. This is incorrect; training devices at best, are only representations of the aircraft tuned for the training task; they are not experimental devices for exploring the ‘what if’s’ of the technical systems or aerodynamics. The best and only advice on the aircraft is given in the AFM and crew manuals.
Simulators are good tools for exploring the ‘what if’s’ of human behaviour, deciding what should be done in difficult circumstances etc. Pilots should not seek to outthink the manufacturer or the certification standard of the aircraft, thus always operate within the limitations of the manufacturers documentation.