Our Wonderfully Capable (Vintage) Mooneys (Long)

[MB_M20F]

[Post retracted since everyone seems to think its purpose was to solicit advice/criticism. Have a nice day and fly safely.]

[carusoam]

MB,

Nicely shared experience.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N9344V/history/20101025/0318ZZ/KOXR/KVNY

I was hoping to match the story to drawing.  It seems not all of the flight or the holds got into the picture.

Sometimes flightaware will have the holds recorded and those GPSS ovals will be a perfect picture....

Best regards,

-a-

[Immelman]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

One thing I will add, and I mean this in a friendly way, is that a while ago I got to thinking and decided that I would hand-fly most flights that I do for IFR currency (I have an s-tec 50 but no GPSS). I do use the autopilot on 'real' trips as needed, but my personal belief is that a lot of the required 6-month proficiency is in basic attitude control while in the muck -- basically exercising the brain-to-muscle connections enough to prevent one's self from getting vertigo. I recall an IPC I had several years ago, before I bought my Mooney, where I was really figting vertigo (I was way out of currency and of course had a CFII along). I kept the airplane where it was supposed to be going (this was conducted in actual IMC, and no autopilot available), but it was very challenging to fight off the vertigo and maintain proper attitude

[FlyDave]

Quote: Immelman

One thing I will add, and I mean this in a friendly way, is that a while ago I got to thinking and decided that I would hand-fly most flights that I do for IFR currency (I have an s-tec 50 but no GPSS). I do use the autopilot on 'real' trips as needed, but my personal belief is that a lot of the required 6-month proficiency is in basic attitude control while in the muck -- basically exercising the brain-to-muscle connections enough to prevent one's self from getting vertigo. I recall an IPC I had several years ago, before I bought my Mooney, where I was really figting vertigo (I was way out of currency and of course had a CFII along). I kept the airplane where it was supposed to be going (this was conducted in actual IMC, and no autopilot available), but it was very challenging to fight off the vertigo and maintain proper attitude

[MB_M20F]

Agreed that hand-flying is a required skill and I'm not suggesting otherwise, nor that I don't practice it. The point of the story is that the technology is cool (and helpful). The intent of the thread is not to open up the "when is it appropriate to use the autopilot" topic, although I suspected it might happen and guess people can go there if they so choose.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: MB_M20F

 Just then, the tower controller informed me that he had just spoken with SoCal Approach who advised that the last four airplanes trying to get into Santa Monica had not made it in. He asked me what I wanted to do. Figuring a missed approach in actual IMC was as good practice as any, I responded that I wouldn't mind giving it a try if that was ok with SoCal.