Raw data manual flight - Airlines
Hello everyone!
"These days airlines seem to prefer operators to pilots."
That's a quote from a captain I spoke with today. We had an interesting discussion on the decline of airline pilots' abilities to fly their aircraft manually. Why don't we continue that here?
0) Airline and aircraft
1) The general policy on manual flight
2) Your personal policy and opinion
3) Any remarks
0)
Ryanair + Boeing 737-800 no mixed fleet
1)
departure : FD + AT/AP ON for NADP1 at 3000ft AGL and for NADP2 at 1000ft AGL.
approach ILS : AT/AP OFF before DH
approach NPA : AT/AP OFF when visual
2)
departure : FD + AP OFF & AT ON. No automatics below 10,000ft.
approach: FD + AT/AP OFF below 15,000ft
3)
on departure I leave AT in for accurate N1 selection. Often I find myself having to level off because of track restrictions. Leaving AT in and using the N1 switch (737) allows for easy disconnecting and reconnecting after subsequent climb clearance has been received.
on approach I prefer to have all automatics and FD's off. By default I ask for a visual approach except for certain destinations where I know it will not be possible. In that case it is either raw data ILS or NPA.
This is all with consideration for the weather in mind. But I would say the majority of my personal flying is manual.
What is your perception on manual flight and what are the rules in your company?
Best regards!