Originally Posted by
B737900er
I think we all agree that once the autopilot is in, we have a tendency to remove our hands. Whilst we should always cover the controls most, if all the time, people still rely on the automatics, and flying at low altitude or below MSA this is when you need to be more vigilant than ever.
MSA has nothing to do with, if or when the controls need to be covered.
BOAC - My company does have an SOP regarding making sure the controls are 'Covered' below MSA at all times.
As does my present and also previous company. Arguably if the PF of the Turkish NG at AMS had done this they would have recognised the problem sooner and it could have been a non-event.