Last time I looked the CAA (UK) OPC/LPC regime did not permit the use of coupled modes during a licence related check flight. This IMHO has been a constant and glaring shortcoming in our UK operating philosophy for it leads to the training being oriented towards uncoupled flight which in turn leads to a lack of knowledge and experience using the coupled modes. This creates a lack of confidence that is not helpful when the chips are down.
Rather interestingly I have just had the opportunity to play a little with the AW139 4-axis (enhanced) AP. The hover mode is excellent and offers the possibility of flying a coupled approach using rad height. You can beep the height down to the MDA at the right time and then beep the speed back to 60-65 kts, which the hover mode can just cope with (60 kts the AP will drop out and 65kts is the max for the hover engagement). Once hover mode is engaged the aircraft will slowly decel to achieve a hover. The exact point at which the hover is achieved can be adjusted using the cyclic beep trim with a graphic display on the HSI to assist (pity there is no corresponding symbol on the radar). Its early days but given the opportunity to practice it could prove a usefull tool 'in extremis'.
G
