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Who’s Flying the Airplane?

Transferring control to another source should be thoroughly verified.

One of many dangerous situations that can arise in the cockpit is when there is confusion about who is flying the airplane. Whether you are transferring control to an autopilot, a copilot or a student, it is critical that you verify that the transfer is complete and that the other source knows that it, he or she is taking over.

Autopilots are becoming more precise and easier to use as they are integrated into the ever-developing technological equipment in the cockpit. With the integration of autopilots into technologically advanced avionics systems that allow you to fly more accurate approaches down to lower and lower minimums, flying has the potential to become safer and safer. But if you don’t get in the habit of verifying that the autopilot is engaged and set to the desired modes the flight could turn into a disaster. If the autopilot is not properly engaged, who is flying the airplane? Nobody!

When you get ready to set the autopilot, make sure that you are using the correct mode for directional control as well as pitch mode. Is the autopilot set to track the heading bug or a navigation aid? Is it set to maintain the current altitude or to climb or descend to a set altitude? Is the target altitude set correctly? Will the autopilot track the glideslope once it has been intercepted? These are the kinds of questions that you need to have answers to before you allow automation to take over. And when you engage the autopilot, verify that it is in fact on and tracking the desired modes.

If you are transferring control to another pilot, it is advisable to talk the pilot through what your intentions are. What altitude are you at and what is your target altitude? Are you tracking a heading, an approach course or a visual aid? What is the plan for the flight once the other pilot takes over? Once the plan of action has been established simply say: “You have the controls.” Have the other pilot verify by saying: “I have the controls.” And just as when you are double-checking that the autopilot is on, confirm the transfer of control by once again stating: “You have the controls.”

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