Dash Eight operations at low level on Border watch
Question on hand flying the Dash Eight at night below 1000ft over water. Anecdotal evidence (therefore open to personal views) that the Coastwatch Dash Eight operation policy is to hand fly if operating low level below 1000agl. Reason given is that monitoring the autopilot overloads both pilots and thus it is "safer" to have one pilot hand flying. Of course it may be there is an AFM limitation on use of autopilot below 1000ft.
This seems to contradict general opinions that hand flying is potentially dangerous since the PNF can be "overloaded" watching the PF fly by hand.
I must say that the PNF would be watching the other pilot like a hawk hand flying below 1000 ft from water or terrain and that it would a far more comfortable proposition to to have the autopilot engaged during that period especially on a dark night over the sea. Unless of course there is an AFM limitation. Any thoughts?