Pilo'ts of aircraft over 12,500 pounds?

Question

Airline pilots, when you fly large aircraft commercialy, do you ALWAYS put the autopilot on as soon as you takeoff? In other words, in a 737 or 747 do you takeoff, turn on the AP right away and use that the whole flight until final? Or do you hand fly a little bit ?

Answer 1

Depends on the pilot......Most love to fly by manual, and others enjoy the auto pilot's relief so they can carry out other duty's.

Answer 2

There is a minimum altitude for engaging an automatic pilot, and it isn't "as soon as you take off."  The initial climb at maximum power is done with both hands on the yoke, for good reason--for better maneuvering control in an emergency.

Answer 3

Depnds on the day, the time, etc.  Some legs I hand fly completely, some as soon as the gear is in the well to the autoland.

There are degrees too.  I can let the FMS do it all or I can set the vertical speed, the airspeed, etc.