Originally Posted by
CFI Guy
At my previous employers the PM always set the altitude alerter and was confirmed by the PF even with the AP engaged.
The SOP at my current company states the PF will make any altitude changes when the AP engaged. They claim the data shows less altitude deviations took place with this system in place.
I think it's 6 one way and a half a dozen the other. I'm just curious to hear other company's SOPs and arguements whether one way is superior over the other.
I've seen it done both ways, but I think the more generally accepted and mandated practice is that when the autopilot is disengaged, the PF commands changes and settings, and when the autopilot is engaged, the pilot flying makes them.
Because the alerter is part of the aircraft flight control when operating in auto modes, it makes sense for the pilot flying to handle the alerter.
So long as the training and policy is uniform and consistent, it will work either way.