Originally Posted by
jayray2
Are you sure? I have never seen anything that says the AP is mandatory. There is something in the POM about the AP being "available." Could you point me out the reference?
"Off the runway" RNAV SIDS like the ones in DFW are supposed to be flown A/P coupled right at 600ft. POM 6.1.13 #13 "For RNAV departure procedures, the pilot must be able to engage the auto pilot promptly at 600 feet above airport elevation."
I know it says "must be able to" and not "must engage" but they've always been pretty clear since we've started flying these DP's that they don't want us hand-flying them.