Ron Gordon writes:

I've moved up to a new plane that includes an S-Tec 50 autopilot. It has
several very capable modes ranging from Wings Leveler, Track a Heading bug,
Follow NAV input, Hold a set Altitude, and approach mode which tracks NAV
input more closely.

What do the regs say about the permissible use of an autopilot after the
enroute portion of a flight that is being conducted under instrument flight
rules? To what extent is it permissible to use the autopilot during an
approach? For example, after the controller says "radar vectors for..."
through DH?

Anything you can legally fly by hand can also be flown by the autopilot, since
you remain in command and can take over at any time; using autopilot is like
using trim in that case. However, you can't use the autopilot to fly
something you could not legally fly by hand unless both you and the aircraft
are certificated to do so. As long as you are flying an approach that you can
legally fly by hand, whether or not you actually use the autopilot to fly it
is purely your choice.

In contrast, there are situations in which flying by hand is not allowed and
only flying by autopilot is permitted (or only flying by hand with special
assistance, such as EFVS, is permitted), such as landings that are below the
minimums for any type of hand-flown instrument approach (Cat IIIc autolands).
These require that both pilot and aircraft (and instruments) be approved for
the automation in question.

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