Blueplume,

I agree with you that real handflying is indeed from take-off till landing. However due to the enviroment we operate in LTMA and RVSM airspace doing this is a big no no. Personally I like to fly the aircraft without the automatics as much as possible, but again at the right time and place.

We operate to several airports were they leave you more or less to do your own thing and these places are ideal for handflying.

I disagree with the you that you should use the automatics as much as possible. Yes, when in busy airspace or not so good weather but not on a cavok day into a quiet airfield. As before there is a time and place for everything.

Unfortunately I am not only talking about 'new' kids who are not allowed to handfly. Even guy's with 4,5,6 thousand hours are not allowed. Not company policy but more to do with the captain.

Remarkably it are the 'older' (50+) captains who prefer the F/O to use the automatics. Any of the 'new' generation captains are more then happy to have the F/O handfly and do it themselves on a regular basis. (by the way that just a fact and not a dig at 'older' pilots)

Poina,

in my company the crews are encouraged to handfly when conditions permit and when both crew members agree on it in the briefing stage. So if either the Capt or F/O don't feel that it is appropriate for the other guy to handfly they can stop it.

Here we go again. Warm and fuzzy and a group hug between captain and copilot with a formal "Agreement" that hand flying is OK - if of course that is OK with you, first officer...

I'm hoping that was a little 'TiC', A3? Surely a good idea to confirm that your co-pilot feels able/competent to monitor your hand-flying and do all the other P2 duties, especially bearing in mind the experience levels of some of them? There are certainly some I have flown with whom I would not 'load up' that way:eek: