Disconnecting the Autopilot
 

Hi folks,

Just wondering for all you jet folks out there when you are carrying out an approach when do you tend to switch off the autopilot, I have been on a couple of jumpseats and some guys take it right down to a couple of miles out before landing then turn it off just wonder do some of you folks like to fly the full approach with hands on or does it just depend if a) you can be bothered or b) if weather is bad etc????

Answers on a postcard :D ;)

Look forward to hearing your replies.

ta very much!

Deek

I tend to switch it off when I am no longer too busy doing other things.

This depends on weather, cabin status, attention level of the co-pilot, fatigue, ATC and the airport and general interest level that day ;)

I like to maintain situational awareness and the autopilot is a useful tool to give me the extra capacity to keep a check as to whats going on.

There are also requirements to turn off the automatics on a non-precision approach when decending below the MDA.

Hope that helps.

:)

Agree with Engee73 above, but because the Airbus will do the g/a for you and fly the missed approach procedure too, I tend to leave it in until cleared to land - especially at busy airports. Nice day at a Greek island, take it out early and handfly a visual circuit/app.
Cheers
mcdhu

Engee73 says it all.

If its an ILS APP you keep your auto pilot on but just turn on the APP button and about 300FT take AP off and land from there in some cases the AP will touch you down .

Never heard of that one? In which cases...?
Our minimum AP-off-altitude is 160 feet before landing, from which we are required to do it ourselves, unless we're doing an autoland...

P77