Use Of AutoPilot in IMC
Interested in folk's thoughts :
I understand that the CAA allow single-crew revenue earning flights as long as there is a functional auto-pilot (ie smaller airlines like Aurigny flying Tri-landers in the Channel).
If the CAA feel that there is a higher margin of safety for a commercial pilot to have the option of using an autopilot when in IMC is is appropriate for PPL pilots with IMC or IR ratings to undertake lengthy flight in IMC in an airplane without a autopilot ?
When I did my IMC it was in a plane without an autopilot, and while handflying is a skill to be practiced and kept current in the event that the autopilot is U/S, I wonder, when thinking about reducing flying risks (apropros the current interesting thread) whether folks are happy to undertake prolonged single pilot IMC flying without an autopilot or would never consider it?
Having said that some people place too much reliance on their autopilot making up for poor decision making and instrument flying practice. We have a chap (with his own aircraft) at our airfield who flies with an apparent disregard for the weather (attempting instrument approaches with the cloudbase below minima when the heavies aren't flying for example) and has had enough close shaves that a number of people won't fly with him, and yes a number of pilots including instructors have repeatedly reminded of the risks he is taking.
LateFinals