Well, to hear Otto speak. IROs are nothing but babysitters and he won't do IRO because he doesn't want to babysit. He wants to fly. So that was a shot at him. Because my 3 years on the 756 wasn't all that much flying. I can't recall hand flying too much in my 16 years here.

I'm rather appalled at our airlines lack of hand flying today. I flew out of EWR last week and the F/O couldn't believe that I was hand flying it to cruise. I did tell him that if he felt overloaded with the MCP and radio at anytime, I would put it on.

If you've taken the latest MV and LOE you'll see that the traning departments concerned as well with the latest "back to basics" approach. I personally hand fly always to at least FL 180 and click it off at anywhere from 6-10,000 feet on the way down. As I said earlier, if the F/O feels overwhelmed, I will put it on A/P.

Why do we at Continental, shun hand flying? I still enjoy it and it keeps your skill level up too. After all we are Pilots, right???

I didn't know it was shunned. Can't recall anyone ever questioning me for turning on the A/P or leaving it off for extended periods as an FO. And as a CA like you I could care less how long it is on or off now. Nothing you say I disagree with. Nothing Otto says I disagree with. Just thought his regard for IROs was disrespectful and it has led to this. BTW, I handfly my LA-4-200 100% of the time.

CPT,

Very few of the F/O's I fly with fly the airplane at all. Autopilot on at 3000 feet and off at 200-500 feet. Not sure why?

The IRO position was not my favorite one either. Boring but someone has to do it and thankfully its a line Pilot not some professional IRO.

How are you measuring the rate and duration of hand flying vs. use of auto pilot? Do you have access to FOQA data?

Because it's within the confines of the FOM and the AFM.

Hmmm, are they making us do the hand flown engine out departure out of Quito and single engine app. to missed, raw data now? Geez....back to basics eh?

Sorry to have rattled your cage. I'm sure you're one of those types that's got the autopilot on at 1000ft and off at 50ft. Bet its a pretty sight when the A/P or A/T are inop in your cockpit.

Relax Mr. Express Pilot

I hear from airline guys that I fly with in the military that the heavy autopilot use has to do with fuel conservation. True?

My "cage" hasn't been rattled. I can and have maintained proficiency for over 20 years without crowing about hand flying, or "do like me" attitudes. I'm not an instructor, nor "express" pilot. (Whatever that may imply)? I personally think they are among the most proficient pilots we hire.
I do hand fly on occassions....which includes the A/T's off, when I feel I can give my passengers a good ride, and the departure or arrival isn't too complex. But I don't ask the F/O if he's overloaded..I can usually tell. And if he is....I don't make a big deal about it. Simply turn the autopilot on and give him a hand. The left seat is not a podium to preach on YOUR techniques. Proceedures, yes....but in a good CRM method. And, as to the appearance of an approach I may have to conduct with the A/P and A/T off.....I have demonstrated proficiency...well within ATP standards, as I'm sure you have.
No, it takes a little more to rattle my cage, but what irks me a little is this Sky King attitude used under the CAL logo. BY God I'm hand flying.......feel the manhood exuding from me!
Now, as to your reference to "Mr. Express Pilot". Please elaborate.

Fuel conservation?
 

Maybe they mean that the autopilot, and more significantly, the autothrottles, stay very close to the econ flight profile with low pilot workload. But careful hand-flying will do the same thing -- the airplane shouldn't sense any difference.

Sorry DT,

It was early and your post had a condencending ring to it hence my post. I guess I just assumed you were Express, (and you're right they are some of the best guys we hire here), by your profile, (ATR B-1900 ect..).

My point is that I fly with some Pilots who have very little skills in actually flying the aircraft. An example:

On approach into MCO and cleared for the visual to 35R from the North late at night. The F/O used the autopilot all the way down to 100 feet using heading select and V/S. I did not say one word, (so you can retract your sky-king Fritz like reference), and the approach and landing were somewhat south of steller.

After arriving at the gate I asked him why he did not hand fly the aircraft sooner, (notice the word "asked"). His was reply was that he did not feel comfortable "flying" the aircraft at an earlier point.

I never tell the F/O when to turn on or off the A/P but I do inform, (again see the word "inform" not demand, make ect...), them that if they feel overloaded while I am flying that I will assist with the MCP by turning on the A/P. When I used to jumpseat on other carriers, (namely United), I was so impressed by their Pilots as they tended to hand-fly the A/C more often than not up and down from altitude.

Am I some bizarro world guy because I think we should do this, perhaps, but maybe other non-CAL types can chime in and tell us what they think.

Sorry for the abrasive post above.