Originally Posted by
Capn Bloggs
No, fly it like it is supposed to be flown. We fly ours with the AT in, as we did on another type, as the book says (or allows). I haven't flown the 737 but apparently the pitch-power coupling gets ugly with AT in when hand-flying. That doesn't necessarily apply to other types. On my type, hand-flying with the AT engaged is terrific.
The 737 A/T is indeed problematic without George. I used to think the best use of the A/T on approach is to deselect the speed mode, with your Vref+ in the window, leaving the A/T in the ARM mode. This was a cheap insurance policy, or so I thought. Eventually I learned this configuration was non-standard and led to unwanted bumps in thrust levels when you got close to the MCP speed set.
On the L1011 Tristar there were five techniques for a smooth landing ..... unfortunately, no one knew what they were !
If only 411A were with us - I'm betting he knew at least a few.