Years ago, before I found myself in the not so ritzy B732 (very old version) cockpit, I used to fly PA-31 on night freight runs. There was no FD in the avionics. I do not remember there being any restriction on our CAT 1 destinations. This was before the all encompassing JAA, EASA and any other complicating overseers. Have things changed or do I join the ranks of flabbergasted at the question? I understand the question, but wonder at the motivation for it. I remember one 'old fart', excellent captain and pilot, who one night, on B732 with golden bird when Wx was close to minimum, turned the FD off because he found it easier to concentrate on the basics lower down and could anticipate quicker and smoother than the golden bird. I watched in astonishment as he proved his case and never forgot the lesson.
Last edited by RAT 5; 24th May 2013 at 15:27.