Autopilot Settings

Jamie4590 wrote:

When I rotate the aircraft on take-off I activate the ALT ACQ and set the climg rate initially for +2000fpm. I'm sure real pilots don't do this and don't even switch the AP on until some time after take-off but does anyone else do this? I do it mainly because I like to change views immediately after take-off and it ensures the aircraft wont pitch up or down wildly.

Pilots are certified to enage the AP after 1000ft. However, some pilots like to climb to transition altitude, 10,000ft or even cruise level by hand-flying. It is entirely up to the PF as to when AP is engaged as long as it is after 1000ft (this may differ slightly depending on the airline). I sometimes engage AP at 1000ft but recently, I complete the rotation, climb-out and climbing turn to around 6000ft by hand.

Jamie4590 wrote:

Something else I do which is probably completely unrealistic is have the AP HDG and Pitch hold on during the take off roll to keep the aircraft alligned and prevent premature rotation. If I try to alter the pitch trim manually under a certain speed it disengages the automatic trim and stabalisers and consequently the AP. I'm sure these techniques are a complete mis-management of the autopilot system but does anyone else do the same?

Yes, that is completely unrealistic. No commercial aircraft in history is certified to engage the AP on takeoff - I can't really see the need for it either. Pilots keep aligned on the runway by rudder and maybe differential brakes. I'm not sure how you can have premature rotation unless you have trim set outside of allowed minima. Don't forget a lot of aircraft don't need a significant amount of trim to aid the rotation. I normally set my trim between 1.0 and 1.5 depending on the aircraft - some smaller aircraft require more trim. With correct trim and correct amount of rudder, I don't see why you'd need AP

😉

I'm a real world pilot, I'm not sure exactly what aircraft you are talking about in your post but in the real world I fly the 737-700 for a passenger airliner, so I'm sure the instructions are pretty much the same for the aircraft you are flying

When on the ground loading passengers, we would enter all necessary information into the CDU for the FMS, make sure all automatic flight systems are set, but not activated obviously.

What I usually do after liftoff when flying, is climb to 1000ft (hand-flying) then I might enable LNAV (sometimes I do, sometimes I dont, it depends on some factors such as ATC clearance and how early I can begin turning because of other runways etc). I would continue climbing myself, but I would have LNAV turned on, and maybe autothrottle, but that depends on certain speed restrictions and noise abations etc

I would usually climb myself by hand up to maybe 15,000ft (sometimes less, sometimes a bit more) and then enable Altitude Hold, to continue a climb up to CA

I hope this helps! 🙂

I usaly switch it on right away and get situated then off and manually fly