In doing some more reading, I found where the FOM (8-12) says we must engage NAV by 500’ on RNAV SIDS. So the bold part below may not be accurate. (FOM applies to both aircraft, so we can negate the 200/900 CFM differences).

Earlier in the thread more than one FO mentioned that sometimes Captains were freaking out if the FO didn't arm NAV immediately or have the autopilot on at 600 on RNAV departures.

While I may be beating a dead horse here, I would like to submit that perhaps that Captain is tired of filling out ASAP reports.

You wanna hand fly raw data? That's fine, but do it anywhere but a CLASS B RNAV departure-ATL in particular. ATL can have 3 simultaneous RNAV departures off 3 close parallel runways. Those runways require PRM for simultaneous approaches and the same lateral precision is required on departures. Tower and departure control will write you up for what looks like a very minor deviation.

Wings of the little white airplane over the white course line is not good enough!!!!

(insert sound of a mic drop)

How much are reserve ATL 900 captains being used in comprision to a New York based one?

Sometimes judgment comes from experience.

I didn't see anyone say raw data.

I did say the autopilot wasn't required but recommended. The autopilot not being engaged doesn't make it raw data. You'd still have the flight director.

I don't know about you but I'm perfectly capable of keeping the triangles together myself.

I would NOT suggest actually flying an RNAV departure raw data, I'm too lazy right now to look up whether flight director use is required ( I think it is).

That said, people have been flying CDI's for a long time. If the line is in the center you ARE on course, it's not about a little airplane and a white line. Again, I'm fairly confident I can keep a CDI centered.

That statement does not mean I'm suggesting you should fly raw data, but I'm also not scared of it.

Completely understand not wanting to fill out ASAP's because of FO's (or CA's). We're all in this together, none of us want to get violated.

Can we move on to which Jerky is the best? Or if not jerky, best snack on the road? One of the flight attendants told me to squeeze a lime over the biscoff cookies and it tastes like key lime pie... haven't tried it yet. Thoughts?

You just went and used some archaic terms, and may well have lost many of the magenta children from this discussion.

The FOM requires us to use LDI & FD for SID/STAR (or equivalent navigation map display) for lateral guidance. But the use of A/P is only recommended, not required.

mmmmkkkkkkk
yawn

just sayin

He's not wrong. The AP is only recommended for RNAV departures. I have flown the ATL RNAV departures many many times using the FD but not the AP. I have seen many CAs do the same thing.

Many of the deviations I have heard about come from either not setting the departure up in the FMS correctly or having the HDG bud not on runway heading when the AP is turned on.

If you dont load the right runway into the box then the airplane will not fly the departure. It wouldn't matter if the AP was on or not. If you have the heading bug on the wrong heading the FD will command a turn when you shouldn't be doing one.

All that is correct. My advice is all that must be correct AND use the AP after 600 feet.

There are plenty of other opportunities to hand fly in lower risk environments.

And yes, I am a wuss.