Just curious to see how many people use their auto pilot when flying in B, C, D airspace while under ATC control. I find it helps staying ahead of the plane and helps me with communication with ATC. I can jot down instructions on sticky notes and put them on my canopy. I fly with Nav using way-points, but when it gets busy and I may be vectored, I switch to heading allowing deviations with just a turn of the dial. IE instruction to turn to heading X is as simple as a turn of the dial until i reach the correct heading. Just wandered how many use their autopilot as I do.
Short 2 min video on my a x-country from PA to RI skirting in and out of NY airspace.
Autopilot or hand fly?
Using autopilot in airspace while under ATC control
Moderator: drseti
Re: Using autopilot in airspace while under ATC control
I usually just plotted my course in ForeFlight, set my Autopilot to “straight and level” and then dialed in my heading and altitude changes as desired. To me it offers more flexibility than predetermined nav way-points and could adjust easily to ATC requests and/or traffic situations.
Hand fly for fun. Autopilot to go the distance : )
Hand fly for fun. Autopilot to go the distance : )
- Richard
Sport Pilot / Ground Instructor
Previous Owner: 2011 SportCruiser
Sport Pilot / Ground Instructor
Previous Owner: 2011 SportCruiser
Re: Using autopilot in airspace while under ATC control
Autopilot is a great fatigue reliever on a long XC, Dave, weather you are receiving ATC services or not. Just remember that a vector being given you by a controller is a heading, and GPS ground tracks are courses. So make sure your autopilot is in heading mode, not course mode.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Re: Using autopilot in airspace while under ATC control
I once got scolded by tower that I had drifted over the centerline of the parallel runway when I had been instructed to fly runway heading. I was flying runway heading, but there was a significant crosswind. At the time I wasn't quick witted enough to say, oh did you mean runway course.
Re: Using autopilot in airspace while under ATC control
Of course you weren't.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Re: Using autopilot in airspace while under ATC control
Additionally, if using Dynon Skyview equipment, when assigned a "heading" by ATC, make sure your autopilot is NOT in "Track" mode. Track mode is a GPS track across the ground.
Bill Ince
LSRI
Retired Heavy Equipment Operator
LSRI
Retired Heavy Equipment Operator