Autopilot Coupling NA?
See the KSTS ILS Runway 32 approach. It states that autopilot coupled approaches are NA below 1038 feet. DA is 380 feet. Why the prohibition on autopilot use?
Readback September 2023
Key Takeaways:
- Autopilot coupled approaches are sometimes restricted below certain altitudes because raw ILS signals can fluctuate, causing the autopilot to make aggressive, potentially airframe-stressing control inputs, which are not visible on damped cockpit instruments.
- "Circling NA" at night on an approach usually indicates an unlit obstacle, typically terrain, penetrates the obstacle evaluation slope, making visual maneuvering unsafe after dark.
- Approaches named without a specific runway (e.g., RNAV-B) indicate only circling minimums exist because they don't meet criteria for straight-in minimums, often due to factors like excessive descent rates or runway misalignment.
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