Handflying with yoke

[RVF750]

probably not relevant as I fly DHC8-Q400 now, and previously BAe146 and BAe ATP, but as a regional pilot, I tend to always have armrests adjusted to be relaxed and light on the controls at nearly all times.

I have them down for taxi, take-off, cruise and approach and landing. the exception is in rough air and strong crosswinds or low level turbulance approaches, where more abrupt or corrective actions are required.

Hence the term this looks like an "armrests up" kind of approach come about.

Living on a rock in the sea, the weather can be quite unpleasant, and full control movement is often needed on days you earn the pay. Good job the SLF don't get to see it coming.

With FBW and force sensing, it's important to separate the wrist action from arm movement, hence the Airbus SOP.

Hope the thread helps your understanding.

[ravi30]

I learnt alot from this thread. Pilots from all over the world contributed their insight. Resting the elbow on the armrest results in smooth flying. However some pilots dont like to use the armrest. So finally the conclusion . Using the armrest or not should allways be the personal choice of the pilot.

However when handflying Airbus From A318 onwards upto A380 every pilot must use the outboard armrest. I am sure the same will apply to to Canadair C series and Sukhoi regional jetlier and Falcon 7x.

Thank you Gentlemen for your participating.

Ravi

[Cardinal]

I've noticed that pilots that do not use the armrests tend to not fly as smoothly as those that do use them.

Invariably. My last type was not equipped with an autopilot. At times I had to request that the FO deploy his armrests for the sake of the Capt's sanity.

[40&80]

I always flew with the armrests down and sat outboard because it made it difficult for the Captains to reach me and strike me in a sensitive area when it was my landing.
Later as a Captain I did the opposite and also purchased a long pointy stick.
I found the main threat as a copilot was the ability of the flight engineer to suddenly clip me from my six o'clock in the middle of the night with his meal tray. Apparently they do this if they have become bored and think the quiet dark cockpit needs a liven up.
He told me it was recommended in his SOPs that the F/E did this to the F/os around 03.00am local time on night flights...I of course believed him.

[Bob Lenahan]

Because I usually go to sleep, I prefer them down.
Bob.

"go" should read "went" and "prefer" should read "preferred".

[FullWings]

If the controls are light and responsive, I like having something to rest my arm on. If they are heavy and/or have a "dead band", I prefer to have a bit more room to bring more muscle groups into play so I can still get the same level of accuracy with the higher forces involved...

[nitpicker330]

Boeing and Airbus both recommend them DOWN. ( especially Airbus with the Sidestick )

It gives your arm a stabilisation point, helps prevent over controlling.

[ravi30]

Airbus Instructors at Toulose insist on the usage of outboard armrest while pilots go there for training . I am referring to Fly by Airbus jetliners. It is part of the SOP for Airbus.

When it come to Boeing there is no right or wrong approach. I have seen cockpit videos of Boeing 787 dreamliner. The chief test pilot captain Mike Carricker flew the 787 with both armrests in up position.

Vast majority of Airlines pilots fly with both armrests down. . Armrests down results in very smotth and stable flying.

How ever if there is an emergency or a severe turbulence. It is best to fly with both armrests up .