FAA to scrutinize AA

[waveflyer]

And I think 90% of us would have the same career. The problem are those that really do need more practice and the culture and egos don't let that work be done. Those who think to themselves- I should hand fly, but... Noone else does it. If you doubt it, try it- landings are generally very good the longer you hand fly. I know it's different- but it works, focuses and zones you in.

Sorry- you guys are probably very safe- I know I'm in the minority here- but if you think it's a bad idea to handfly in IMC to mins- you're the one I'm talking to.
Don't begin with it- start vmc into an easy visual. Work up to it from there. Yes- I have routinely hand- flown jets into o'hare.

Handflying the climbout provides very little effort- most climbs do not even level off- and the configuration changes are routine and simple- it's flying down from at least 10,000' that has the effect.

I'm sorry, but we've had WAY too many landing incidents and too many of us haven't had the turbine hand flying experience. It is showing. We aren't robots- the autopilot doesn't need the work- we do.

What my mentors taught me was to ask myself honest questions- "are you a good pilot? Or were you a good pilot?"

I've seen this debate in training departments for too long. If you suck at handflying- that means you should do more handflying until you don't-not less. Be smart about it, pick good opportunities and don't endanger your plane- but do the work. If you're not CAPABLE of not sucking at hand flying - pick another career. Too many of us aren't critical of our own abilities enough.

 

[embpic1]

please tell me you are kidding..

I was thinking the same thing.....

 

[AA717driver]

Waveflyer--The problem is, those who suck at hand flying are the LAST people who will do it. I understand what Ok3 is saying. It's a process.

I've gotten "addicted" to the autopilot and was hesitant to hand fly. So, I started handflying VFR ILS approaches. Then, I started turning everything off when being vectored. Eventually, I regained my "commuter flying" skills and could safely, reliably hand fly in IMC.

But, you have to take responsibility for maintaining your own skills. They certainly won't do it in recurrent and the check airmen (at least at AA) won't encourage you to click everything off and get back in the game on your next line check.

I will say that some people I've talked to who have been to recurrent lately have said some of the instructors are beginning to emphasize flying over rote repetition of call outs. I go this month so we'll see.

It may be that we need to start emphasizing the go-around as a 'good decision' once again.

TC

 

[Lear70]

I don't disagree with everything you posted but airline pilots should not be "practicing" hand flying in IMC.

Military straight into SWA?

Ummm... yeahhh... OK.

Back to real life... Yes, practicing basics in ACTUAL IMC is a good thing. Too many "children of the magenta" as it is. More people practicing those skills = better handling at the end of the approach when you kick off the autopilot and land the plane (not everyone is CAT IIIc autoland)...

 

[a320drivr]

If you cant hand fly in IMC you dont belong in the cockpit of an airplane. Its basic airmanship.

 

[b82rez]

IMC is when you should be hand flying...no see and avoid

 

[bubbers44]

Why would we allow pilots in an aircraft if they could not make a minimums approach with no autopilot?????? I know some foreign carriers have 250 hr guys that are considered qualified but in the US we should not let this happen. Autopilot failure should never constitute an emergency. We in the past have been dispatched many times with autopilot inop. Now we need to change the rules because we are hiring underqualified pilots?

 

[ron burgundy]

How can anybody even read or reply to this. Aren't we all busy pulling the ipod out of our backpacks,plugging in the headsets,spooling up our iphones to text instead of talking,turning on our sony ds/psp.....

 

[OK3]

I can hand fly just fine and my backround has nothing to do with it Lear. I am talking about risk managment. IMC into a busy hub is not the best time to "practice". That is all I was saying. I agree that an airline pilot should be proficient at hand flying, it's part of our job.

 

[waveflyer]

It shouldn't be practice - it ought to be COMFORTABLE. EASY. That takes doing it. And right now there are too many carriers that don't encourage clicking everything off and many captains that will forbid it. That's not okay

It's not about chest thumping and definitely not about showing off. We need to create cockpit environments that encourage those who really need te practice the freedom to do it- w/o ego, but with pride in the work