Originally Posted by
blind pew
Iirc we didn’t have mode Charlie at that time..and all transponder codes were Alpha.
Channings procedure of plugging the autopilot in at 500ft was unusual on the fleet. The only other one who I remember doing it was Stan Key on papa india.
Analog autopilot which was ok if you were in stable flight, if not it hunted.
Generally only used before clean up if skipper had hangover, knackered or couldn’t fly.
Those were the days.
If you're talking Trident autopilot, I did a 2 week course (for ATCO Cadets) on the sims at Viking House in '74 and I'm sure we were taught to engage autopilot once we had positive ROC and gear was travelling ie about Vr