What's wrong with actually flying the aircraft? Pilots are supposed to be able to do that!

 

So what if he wants to use the AP that has been put in the airplane at great expense? Unless it is forbiden in FCOM or company OM, then he is free to do as he wishes. Hell, I just use RNAV RNP approach most of the time to enjoy the scenery...

 

 

Maybe what Bert is saying is that there is no ILS at LOWI in "RW Flight" ?

 

Depends how you look at it. There is no ILS as defined as precision approach. You could say it is an IGS, kinda. Similar to what Kai Tak had, basically the same installation and principle as IGS and puts you in a precise position laterally and vertically, but that position is not the runway. Officially, it is a LOC/DME with available partial GS guidance.

What's wrong with using an autopilot for a circling approach?

 

Bert Van Bulck

If you are using VNAV (which I hadn't thought of) then there should be no problem. However, if you use APP mode, then the only ways available of getting out of approach mode involve 1) aborting the landing, 2) setting off cockpit alarms or 3) losing your guidence, none of which are options you would normally consider while on a tricky approach.

 

I should mention that in the RW, the presence of a guideslope does not mean you have ILS. It is one of the requirements, but by no means the only one, and on its own, it is just another navigational aid available to the pilot.

I normally use VNAV LNAV when shooting this approach. I normally disconnect the AP on the final turn as I like to enjoy the scenery with this approach. Sure it's as skill to be able to hand fly but it's just as fun to use the AP down to minimums.!

I've done many circling approaches RW. There is no one answer. If you are only circling from say RW36 to RW04, then there's not much need for an autopilot. You'd probably disconnect the A/P, cycle the F/Ds and land.

 

However, for something more involved, you might leave the A/P on. ILS36L circle to land 18R in Pusan, for example. The military operators wanted us over a very specific track, so we'd fly the ILS in LOC & V/S. We'd then break out and go to LNAV to follow the ground track for the downwind, base and final.

 

I don't think too many people would turn off the A/P and then turn it back on. I've never seen it done, anyway. VNAV or V/S seems like the most likely method.