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Old 24th Feb 2015, 12:29
  #18 (permalink)  
Dominator2
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Although not the best in the world the Tornado F3 autopilot was OK. Like all things, you had to know how to operate it to get it to work for you.
It was capable of:
Height hold
Heading/track steering
Route flying (both MC Route and JTIDS Route)
Mach hold (good for climbs and descents)
Auto throttle
Auto ILS (not cleared in RTS but very good. Could fly a 67 wing approach better than most pilots)
There was a plan to introduce a much more powerful AP to enable dynamic hands off flying for night/IMC intercepts/VIDs etc but like many things the money was pulled by MOD for other projects.

I flew 3500 hours on F3 and used the AP whenever appropriate. Why not reduce the workload and increase brain capacity for other tasks?

The F3 did have Twin INS fed by GPS and monitored through an MC. Although not as easy to fly down the old VOR based airways it would be easier to fly Rnav routes and procedures if cleared. Also difficult to legally fly a VOR or NDB approach when neither fitted. Very few knew how to use Tacan for VOR Approach!
Not sure about Typhoon but most probably still using "British Officer Coming Through" principle.

Last edited by Dominator2; 24th Feb 2015 at 14:52. Reason: Addition
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