Autopilot at 30,000 ft and higher?
05-09-2016, 10:47 AM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 443
Originally Posted by rickair7777
CRJ operators commonly require AP use much above F180 or F200. It can be flown by hand, and if the AP is deferred you can do it up to RVSM space. But it's a little mushy, and if you were near the operational ceiling for the weight and conditions you could put it behind the power curve by over-controlling and creating too much drag. That has more to do with being under-powered than with control-ability.
05-09-2016, 12:52 PM
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2012
Position: ERJ
Posts: 383
While I was on the Learjeat 35 and Falcon 20, I hand-flew them between FL200 - FL410; there was no problem in doing so. I once witnessed a DC-9 being hand-flown at FL350. The airplane was still most controllable.
05-10-2016, 04:12 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: the right side
Posts: 1,373
Originally Posted by Apokleros
While I was on the Learjeat 35 and Falcon 20, I hand-flew them between FL200 - FL410; there was no problem in doing so. I once witnessed a DC-9 being hand-flown at FL350. The airplane was still most controllable.
06-08-2016, 07:11 AM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: 747 Captain (Ret,)
Posts: 804
I had the single autopilot on a USAF C-141A fail departing the U.S. on the way to Greece. It was not very stable in pitch at FL330, and got significantly worse when we climbed to FL370, to the extent that I deemed it prudent to descend back to FL330. Luckily we had three pilots on that trip, because of the long duty day, and we traded off hand flying duty every thirty minutes. As a side note, That aircraft, while on autopilot, had trouble holding altitude within 100' at FL 390. Most airline aircraft that I have flown easily hold altitude within 20' except in mountain wave. Another note: I got out of the Air Force before the C-141 was modified to the "B Model" configuration, so perhaps that longer body model was more stable in pitch at high altitude.
Joe
Joe
07-11-2016, 09:22 AM
#37
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 35
Hey All,
just to contribute to the hangar talk...Many years back, lost altitude hold capability in a 74 classic. Tried to fly with A/P in manual takes extreme concentration...the larger the attitude gyro the better. Ultimately flew with the A/P in manual with the pitch thumb wheel entire trip. Mach .84 at mid 30's, I was an expert after 2.5 hours.
Safe journeys...Sushi
just to contribute to the hangar talk...Many years back, lost altitude hold capability in a 74 classic. Tried to fly with A/P in manual takes extreme concentration...the larger the attitude gyro the better. Ultimately flew with the A/P in manual with the pitch thumb wheel entire trip. Mach .84 at mid 30's, I was an expert after 2.5 hours.
Safe journeys...Sushi
07-20-2016, 12:32 PM
#38
Banned
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Posts: 292
Originally Posted by HeavyDriver
I have hand flown the 20 series Learjet at altitudes FL410 and above many a time since the autopilots back then were unreliable. At .78m 1° of pitch change equated to a 800fpm climb/descent rate if I can remember.
07-21-2016, 02:02 PM
#39
Just Plane Stupid
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Captain
Posts: 458
Originally Posted by LAXative
Why were you flying so slow? We flew ours at .82 all the time.
