Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml@lancaironline.net Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 21:52:37 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from imo-m14.mx.aol.com ([64.12.138.204] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.2.1) with ESMTP id 414354 for lml@lancaironline.net; Thu, 16 Sep 2004 19:55:15 -0400 Received-SPF: pass receiver=logan.com; client-ip=64.12.138.204; envelope-from=MikeEasley@aol.com Received: from MikeEasley@aol.com by imo-m14.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v37_r3.7.) id q.d9.14d84478 (18555) for ; Thu, 16 Sep 2004 19:54:36 -0400 (EDT) From: MikeEasley@aol.com X-Original-Message-ID: X-Original-Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 19:54:35 EDT Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Flying a Handfull X-Original-To: lml@lancaironline.net MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="-----------------------------1095378875" X-Mailer: 9.0 for Windows sub 5113 -------------------------------1095378875 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I agree with Skip. Autopilots are a wonderful addition that can absolutely enhance the safety and pleasure of flying. Our ES's are about as stable as you can get. Mine, especially near the forward CG, is so stable you think the autopilot IS engaged! I flew my ES to Sun 'N Fun and back from Colorado Springs without the autopilot and even though it was sunny and smooth, it still was draining on a 4 hour leg to keep your altitude and heading on track. I also like being able to keep my eyes outside looking for traffic. I've never flown a 360 or a Legacy, but I would bet they are quite a bit more demanding. IFR would compound the workload considerably. I think keeping your hand flying skills sharp is equally important as knowing how to program and monitor your autopilot. Both flying modes can be safe, if you stay current. An incorrectly programmed autopilot is just as dangerous and a rusty pilot. Mr. TruTrack does a fabulous job of holding course and altitude, far better than I can. But I like to turn off the autopilot about 20 minutes out, and wake up my feet and get a feel for the controls before I enter the pattern, a trick my private instructor taught me. Mike Easley Colorado Springs -------------------------------1095378875 Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I agree with Skip. Autopilots are a wonderful addition that can a= bsolutely enhance the safety and pleasure of flying. Our ES's are abou= t as stable as you can get. Mine, especially near the forward CG, is s= o stable you think the autopilot IS engaged! I flew my ES to Sun=20= 'N Fun and back from Colorado Springs without the autopilot and even though=20= it was sunny and smooth, it still was draining on a 4 hour leg to keep=20= your altitude and heading on track. I also like being able to keep my=20= eyes outside looking for traffic.

I've never flown a 360 or a Legacy, but I would bet they are quite a bi= t more demanding.

IFR would compound the workload considerably.

I think keeping your hand flying skills sharp is equally important as k= nowing how to program and monitor your autopilot. Both flying modes ca= n be safe, if you stay current. An incorrectly programmed autopilot is= just as dangerous and a rusty pilot. Mr. TruTrack does a fabulous job= of holding course and altitude, far better than I can. But I like to=20= turn off the autopilot about 20 minutes out, and wake up my feet and get a f= eel for the controls before I enter the pattern, a trick my private instruct= or taught me.

Mike Easley

Colorado Springs

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