Mxsmanic wrote:
Can you use an autopilot when training for or being examined for an
instrument rating, or do you have to fly the aircraft by hand?

I used it for both my training and on my checkride. It shows
you know how to use all the tools effectively. If you got something
operational in the plane, it's fair game for the examiner to ask
about it. Mine was pretty cool, he was willing to let me fly the
partial panel approach with the autopilot even, but it was really
turbulent and it was hunting a bit so I decided to hand fly it
after the first part.

I would fly IFR without the autopilot, but you can't have my
moving map until you pry it from my cold dead fingers.