You're a SouthernJets International 767ER....

[Seggy]

Originally Posted by SteveC

How about a PM instead of going waaay off-topic?

You are right! Sorry about that! I punched myself in the face for my yellow card.






AP, I used the term gremlin as a figure of speech. I am well aware that if you have three autopilots fail you have quite a few issues with the airplane.

However, if you ever hear mechanics talk, especially the ones at the Colgan ALB base, you will hear them say "these (insert four letter word here) planes and their (insert four letter word here) GREMLINS."


It is a figure of casual speech.

[AmazingPilot]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Uhh, darned near anything can happen. My new plane's got three. I'll even be more than happy to ask about the scenario in ground school tomorrow if you'd like specifics.

Fire loops don't always work either! I know a mad dog driver who found out the hard way last year. Not me! I was on vacay!

Keep it civil in my living room. Remember you're a guest.

Yeah Doug, I'd appreciate you asking about having all three autopilots systems failing at the same time, or on the same flight.

Sorry if I came off a little defensive OldTimePilot, I apoligize for coming off a little strong, personality fault I guess. I'll keep it more respectful in the future.

Seggy I'm really not interested in discussing the union with you on this website or via phone, so you can stop with the PMs. Lobby your support through the appropriate channels of the organizing commitee that you sit on.

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by AmazingPilot

Yeah Doug, I'd appreciate you asking about having all three autopilots systems failing at the same time, or on the same flight.

From personal experience, I'd had both autopilots fail in an MD-88/90 on several occasions where the aircraft was kosher for dispatch and experience no navigation problems. I don't think we were able to enter RVSM airspace, I'm not sure but I'd have to look at a much later date as I'm systems-dumping all of the McD stuff.

Sorry if I came off a little defensive OldTimePilot, I apoligize for coming off a little strong, personality fault I guess. I'll keep it more respectful in the future.

Sure will!

[SIUav8er]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I don't see the problem, that's a normal day.

hahah!!!

[Fly4Pay]

Originally Posted by TonyC

Invite the Flight Attendants to take a turn at level flight. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to break up the monotony of hours and hours of handflying straight and level, right? Could be entertaining. .

What's the status of our airsick bags?

[Fly4Pay]

Originally Posted by thestaton

Just a note, I just had something very similar to this happen. We where leaving Rota, Spain coming back to Dover, DE. After the pilots climbed to cruise, they realized that autopilot would not engage. Engineers ran there checks, and did everything they could. We had 3 pilots and I kid you not they beasted the whole 10 hour flight back to Dover.

That's why in our aircraft we were limited to a 12 hour duty day if any axis of the autopilot was inop. And man, that is a LONG 12 hours when you have to do it....

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by staplegun

It's stable, but not that stable!

There isn't a single over the pond flight that i've taken that hasn't had some type of turbulence the entire way. I can imagine flying it without the autopilot would be a pain in the butt.

[dispatchguy]

Being a 121 dispatcher here -

According to an older copy of the B767-3ER MEL, there are 3 autopilot control systems on the B767 (at least in this MEL, of a US 121 operator of the type who did operate up to 3 hr ETOPS in the plane). According to that same operator,

For predeparture, you can have 1 A/P inoperative and still operate under 3-hr ETOPS. Once in flight and the A/P craps out, deselect the crapped out one, and engage another, and send an ACARS to dispatch that you have an inop A/P, and are continuing. Because if another A/P craps out pre-crossing, THAT can be a problem.