Flying a 172 with Autopilot?

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 21:08:10 +0200, Greg Farris
wrote:

You can do some basic tests before
takeoff, to make sure it's doing more or less what it's supposed to.

According to the flight supplement, you're required to do the basic
tests before takeoff if you're going to use it during the flight

Personally I try and use the airline philosophy: use all the
automation you have for as much of the time as you can. The FITS
training I got with the new 172 encouraged this as well. They even do
some demos on how to fly partial-panel with the AP in roll mode and
shoot a non-precision approach. So, all my cross countries are
autopilot (dual axis w/ preselect) on at 800' AGL and back off
entering the pattern (VMC) or at the FAF (IMC or VMC straight-in). I
hand fly some local flights every couple of weeks for proficiency
(keep myself able to hand fly to the instrument rating standards,
practice some maneuvers and approaches, etc).

There's an autopilot in our club archers and dakota, but I almost never
use them. For one thing I feel like a passenger if I don't have my hand
on the wheel, and for another, I treat every flight as a training
flight. I don't see how one can remain proficient when George has all
the fun. I just like to hand-fly, even on long flights.

That said, a simple wing leveler is great to have while copying an IFR
clearance, or folding maps, or any time the load factor gets a bit high.
If you do much IFR, a simple George is nice to have.

Jose
--
You may not get what you pay for, but you sure as hell pay for what you get.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

"Jay Honeck" wrote:

"Nav-O-Matic"??

Was there a coin slot, or had it been upgraded to accept dollar bills?

It was good for making avionics guys' boat payments, perhaps that's
where it got its name.

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 00:56:19 GMT, Jose
wrote:

There's an autopilot in our club archers and dakota, but I almost never
use them. For one thing I feel like a passenger if I don't have my hand
on the wheel, and for another, I treat every flight as a training
flight. I don't see how one can remain proficient when George has all
the fun. I just like to hand-fly, even on long flights.

That said, a simple wing leveler is great to have while copying an IFR
clearance, or folding maps, or any time the load factor gets a bit high.
If you do much IFR, a simple George is nice to have.

Jose

With the latest DRVSM airspace rules, hand flying a jet at altitude
has become a thing of the past. No autopilot and you are stuck below
FL290. Not that anyone hand flew in cruise unless they had to anyway.
If the autopilot broke, it always automatically became the first
officer's leg. :-)

With the latest DRVSM airspace rules, hand flying a jet at altitude
has become a thing of the past.

LOL. The OP was referring to a C-172; I fly Cherokees. I don't know of
any jet powered 172s or Cherokee, and have never seen any above FL 290
anyway.

Actually a jet conversion might be interesting. I like to fly low, so I
don't really care about the FL290 restriction - I'd light the
afterburners at 500 feet and scream along the treetops. My passengers
would just scream.

It would be way cooler than the turbo tomahawk used in some ATC examples
at Sun'n'Fun, although there might be a problem loading enough fuel on
board to actually taxi to the runway, let alone take off.

That is, take off the wings as the engine rips its way through the
fuselage and tumbles down the runway.

Jose
--
You may not get what you pay for, but you sure as hell pay for what you get.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Used it today on a 172SP. It was only an hour flight but it came in handy
flying through Philly class B airspace to Lancaster. I'm a new pilot and
having a solid lock on altitude and heading with afternoon thermals while
dialing through at least 4 radio changes helps enormously. I'm sure ATC
appreciates me holding course as well. Nice really nice, and I didn't
forget how to land the plane.


"VE5JL" wrote in message
news:R4fye.1866495$6l.1009425@pd7tw2no...
Is there any one here flying a 172 using an autopilot?

I think on longer flights (3+ hours) and autopilot would be an advantage,
however there are some in the old school that think it is not necessary.

I'd like some opinions.

thx

Joe


http://www.ve5jl.com

A good working autopilot is great for long trips and a safety
enhancement in IFR. They do seem to need a bit of maintenance. Mine has
needed $2200 worth in about 2000 hours. It is currently not working
again. In smooth air my simple Century I flies a very straight line. I
recently took a long trip without it and found myself veering around
more than I would like. I do think someone who flies behind an
autopilot comes to rely upon it. Make sure you are competent without
it. The trip without it did me quite a bit of good, I believe. I don't
use it for training in IFR and only use it in cruise in actual. I do my
climbouts and approaches without it. Of course the airliners all have
them now, and use them almost constantly. Make sure you read the manual
and find out as much as you can about yours. They all seem to work a
little differently.

"Jose" wrote

Actually a jet conversion might be interesting. I like to fly low, so I
don't really care about the FL290 restriction - I'd light the
afterburners at 500 feet and scream along the treetops. My passengers
would just scream.

That is, take off the wings as the engine rips its way through the
fuselage and tumbles down the runway.

chuckle The guy that has the jet powered Waco doesn't have an
afterburner, but doesn't need it. He came to speak at our Aviation
Explorer's base a couple years ago, and one of the kids asked how fast it
would go if he kept it at full throttle, level.

He replied something like, "I duno, probably about 300, before the wings
ripped off." g
--
Jim in NC

Jose wrote:
That is, take off the wings as the engine rips its way through the
fuselage and tumbles down the runway.



Bitch, bitch, bitch....




--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE

Doug wrote:
use it for training in IFR and only use it in cruise in actual. I do my
climbouts and approaches without it.


Well, that's me as well. I always used mine in cruise only... VFR or IFR. I
always hand fly climb outs and approaches... always have....



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE