Practicing in the sim is great. Hardly ever happens.
Only had an A/P deferred once. It was the CA’s leg. After about 15 minutes of witching him struggle, I offered to fly for a while, give him a break; figured we could take turns “resting”. After a bit, he complimented me on my aircraft control, and asked me to take it all the way in. I said no problemo. It was very clear he had been an A/P only guy for a while.
It is a diminishing skill. The time to practice is NOT when it is required.
Originally Posted by
msprj2
Practice in the sim. They are always looking for nfp's
Why don't you give your passengers that brief. I Think they would deplane.
Imagine if your Dr told you they weren't going to use the newer, safer, higher tech procedures, but wanted to practice the old way?