Autopilot disengage question 737-800

[paulkinm]

Hi All,

I was wondering, when do the pilots disengage the autopilot on approach? Does it vary or is there a set time to do this?

In my experience, it seems on the final approach after full flaps have been deployed.

Any help will be appreciated!

[Check Airman]

Depends on pilot mood, SOP, legal requirements...No later than MDA on non-precision apps...or as high as the TOD.

[Flap15Geardown]

I know this may sound a bit daft, but if you are sat in the cabin how do you know when the autopilot is disconnected

[paulkinm]

Originally Posted by Flap15Geardown

I know this may sound a bit daft, but if you are sat in the cabin how do you know when the autopilot is disconnected

Good question. The aircraft starts to feel very eratic and you feel that the autopilot is no longer in control. I guess it's the same during take off, during those first couple of turns on assent you can feel the pilot making minor adjustments and you feel a varied degree of G force as if he/she uses the rudder a few seconds after the plane starts banking.

Same as landing, most flights I have been on are on budget airlines which need to get down quick, turn around and fly out again. I was thinking that most of these pilots use the autopilot until they are on finals, just to make sure there is no problems lining up or any other factors which may result in the plane having to go around.

Or it could be that I have got all of this wrong

[Eff Oh]

Good question. The aircraft starts to feel very eratic and you feel that the autopilot is no longer in control. I guess it's the same during take off, during those first couple of turns on assent you can feel the pilot making minor adjustments and you feel a varied degree of G force as if he/she uses the rudder a few seconds after the plane starts banking.

Same as landing, most flights I have been on are on budget airlines which need to get down quick, turn around and fly out again. I was thinking that most of these pilots use the autopilot until they are on finals, just to make sure there is no problems lining up or any other factors which may result in the plane having to go around.

Or it could be that I have got all of this wrong

Err, not quite. If the aircraft starts to feel "very eratic" I would suggest there is something wrong with it! Pilots are more than capable of flying the aircraft with or without autopilot. If you are flying a jet, or any large turboprop for that matter you will not be using any rudder in the turn. Rudder is only used (By the pilots) in an engine out situation or a crosswind during take off or landing. The comment re low cost carriers is also wide of the mark. So unless you hear the autopilot disonnect in the cabin, it is unlikely you will know when the autopilot is disconnected.

[paulkinm]

Thanks Eff for clearing that up for me

[airamerica]

''Or it could be that I have got all of this wrong ''.
Yep spot on.