Who sets the altitude alert?
09-28-2015, 01:12 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 132
Who sets the altitude alert?
At my previous employers the PM always set the altitude alerter and was confirmed by the PF even with the AP engaged.
The SOP at my current company states the PF will make any altitude changes when the AP engaged. They claim the data shows less altitude deviations took place with this system in place.
I think it's 6 one way and a half a dozen the other. I'm just curious to hear other company's SOPs and arguements whether one way is superior over the other.
The SOP at my current company states the PF will make any altitude changes when the AP engaged. They claim the data shows less altitude deviations took place with this system in place.
I think it's 6 one way and a half a dozen the other. I'm just curious to hear other company's SOPs and arguements whether one way is superior over the other.
09-28-2015, 01:49 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Position: Left seat on a kite
Posts: 1,884
Originally Posted by CFI Guy
At my previous employers the PM always set the altitude alerter and was confirmed by the PF even with the AP engaged.
The SOP at my current company states the PF will make any altitude changes when the AP engaged. They claim the data shows less altitude deviations took place with this system in place.
I think it's 6 one way and a half a dozen the other. I'm just curious to hear other company's SOPs and arguements whether one way is superior over the other.
The SOP at my current company states the PF will make any altitude changes when the AP engaged. They claim the data shows less altitude deviations took place with this system in place.
I think it's 6 one way and a half a dozen the other. I'm just curious to hear other company's SOPs and arguements whether one way is superior over the other.
I agree it's one half does another, but as long as it gets set correctly is all that matters.
Beyond that, it just a thing we have to get used to.
09-28-2015, 02:00 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,728
I guess the thinking is that by having the PF do it (assuming the AP is on), you have two people more actively involved in the process. One guy listening and responding to ATC, and the other actually setting the altitude based on what he heard.
Honestly, it's six of one, half dozen of the other to me too. But when the PNF is setting it, I suppose a PF that has his mind elsewhere can confirm, point, or whatever without really paying attention to the actual ATC instruction. He'll just repeat whatever the PNF put in the window.
Honestly, it's six of one, half dozen of the other to me too. But when the PNF is setting it, I suppose a PF that has his mind elsewhere can confirm, point, or whatever without really paying attention to the actual ATC instruction. He'll just repeat whatever the PNF put in the window.
09-28-2015, 05:32 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,278
I have worked at both and prefer the PF controlling the altitude selector. When you are in a descent and you get a "Cross XYZ at FL280", sometimes you would rather level off and sometimes you would rather continue the descent. Also, changing the altitude knob when the aircraft is capturing an altitude is not good and I have noticed it happening more when the PM sets it. I think it is a little awkward when the two people are effectively controlling the flight path of the plane (altitude pre selector and FMS) at the same time.
09-28-2015, 06:54 PM
#7
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,281
PF should control Alt Selector IMO. If he's hand flying, he should direct the PM to do it on his behalf. I agree with 2stgturbine, sometimes you may not want final assigned Alt in the selector.
09-28-2015, 09:14 PM
#8
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,023
Originally Posted by CFI Guy
At my previous employers the PM always set the altitude alerter and was confirmed by the PF even with the AP engaged.
The SOP at my current company states the PF will make any altitude changes when the AP engaged. They claim the data shows less altitude deviations took place with this system in place.
I think it's 6 one way and a half a dozen the other. I'm just curious to hear other company's SOPs and arguements whether one way is superior over the other.
The SOP at my current company states the PF will make any altitude changes when the AP engaged. They claim the data shows less altitude deviations took place with this system in place.
I think it's 6 one way and a half a dozen the other. I'm just curious to hear other company's SOPs and arguements whether one way is superior over the other.
Because the alerter is part of the aircraft flight control when operating in auto modes, it makes sense for the pilot flying to handle the alerter.
So long as the training and policy is uniform and consistent, it will work either way.
09-28-2015, 09:21 PM
#9
Banned
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: 7th green
Posts: 4,378
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
I've seen it done both ways, but I think the more generally accepted and mandated practice is that when the autopilot is disengaged, the PF commands changes and settings, and when the autopilot is engaged, the pilot flying makes them.
Because the alerter is part of the aircraft flight control when operating in auto modes, it makes sense for the pilot flying to handle the alerter.
So long as the training and policy is uniform and consistent, it will work either way.
Because the alerter is part of the aircraft flight control when operating in auto modes, it makes sense for the pilot flying to handle the alerter.
So long as the training and policy is uniform and consistent, it will work either way.
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