Originally Posted by ogel
the press keeps telling that they were using auto-pilot until 1,600 feet. What were they doing with the autopilot when there is no ILS operative? Just set the heading and a rate of descent? Does not make sense to me...
Obviously you've never one one. Makes a lot of sense, actually. No problem at all driving the aeroplane around visually with the autopilot using TRK/HDG and VS or FPA. Reduces the verbal diarrhea to your PM. It obviously has to come out at some stage, and 1600ft in this case is quite reasonable.
Originally Posted by Ironbutt
this is a wake-up call to all PNF..PM whatever you prefer to call them....to be monitoring inside the flt deck...as one should be...it is the PF's job to be "outside" flying the plane when in visual conditions...
No, the PF's job is to fly the aeroplane, that's in (speed and sink) and out (slope). Doesn't matter whether it's VMC or in the gloop. The PM's job is to monitor all of that.