Originally Posted by
rickair7777
CRJ operators commonly require AP use much above F180 or F200. It can be flown by hand, and if the AP is deferred you can do it up to RVSM space. But it's a little mushy, and if you were near the operational ceiling for the weight and conditions you could put it behind the power curve by over-controlling and creating too much drag. That has more to do with being under-powered than with control-ability.
Never heard of that in fact I get a better feel of the aircraft up high when hand flying. If you are over controlling it creating too much drag you have no business flying a plane full of passengers. Most of the time I'll hand fly to within a couple hundred feet of level off. Our only requirement was autopilot on for level off and cruise in RVSM unless circumstances prevented it's use. There were times when we were RVSM N/A due to inop a/p and center had the ability to accommodate us hand flying an RJ at 360 or 370. I had brand new FOs who were 1500 hr CFIs hand flying up high with no problem it's not hard.