(Snowbird) writes:

But truthfully, single-pilot IFR would be very difficult
without an autopilot for those times when one has to fold a
chart or copy the clearance for a major rerouting.

Understood. I know that I'm spoiled flying a PA-28 -- I just flew
from Toronto to Ottawa this morning in solid IMC and intermittent
turbulence, and the plane was quite happy to let me fold charts, look
up approaches, etc. etc. On the other hand, I give up a fair bit of
speed to get that stability (my top speed is only around 125 ktas from
160 hp).

What brought me out of the woodwork was what I took to be your
point that simply going "hands off the yoke" is in any way a
substitute for an autopilot.

I suggested that hands off the yoke is a solution for the specific
problem of involuntarily moving the yoke when you look away from the
panel.

IMO, that just isn't true. It may be true for some planes some of
the time, but even a Piper will meet conditions where 5 seconds of
hands-off will mean a rapidly steeping bank.

Even in my Cherokee, I won't look away *or* let go of the yoke for 5
seconds in IMC, except maybe in extremely smooth air. Typically, the
longest I'll look away is 1-2 seconds, and less in rough air (maybe
1/2 second).


All the best,


David