Originally Posted by
vessbot
I can only speak for what I see at my regional (which I won't name because I don't want to cause a ruckus). Hand flying was deemphasized in training and is rarely done on the line above 1000 feet. I think I've only seen one captain ever turn the AP off in IMC.
How we're expected to become or remain proficient at flying the plane, I don't know. I know that if I'm in the back and the AP quits, I would hope the crew diverts to a VMC field.
I’m curious as to what regional airline you work for since I’m just beginning my training and part of the reason as to why I’m pursuing this career professionally is that I really enjoy hand flying, and flying in general. I’m well aware that European and Asian carriers are very restrictive in regards to allowing pilots to hand fly the beast but I thought we were different here in the good old US of A.
Also, as a side question. What are the airlines that allow you and even encourage hand flying?