Page 26 - Volume 14 Number 4

selected ALT SEL for the eventual level-off, and off we went for our next sightseeing. As before, we made a normal AP/FD-controlled descent to get near the surface, then started using the turn knob for our banking left and right around the spectacular monuments. Many John Wayne westerns were filmed here! Now, without FD coupling – which went away as soon as the turn knob was rotated out of its center detent – again the command bars disappeared. However, the ALT mode was still operative. I sometimes call this the “half-coupled” mode, since the AP was still adjusting pitch attitude for altitude control but allowing me – via the turn knob – to select the bank angle I desired. There were times I wanted to go a little lower or a little higher. Rotation of the pitch command wheel on the AP control panel turned off the ALT mode and left us in a completely uncoupled mode of AP operation.
Certainly, I could have done all of this with hand flying. I could have just tapped the electric trim switches on my control wheel – to disconnect the AP but leave the yaw damper on for ride comfort, my preferred method of AP disengagement – and started maneuvering using the pilot’s control wheel myself. Sometimes I do exactly that. Call me lazy or maybe just variety-seeking, but today I let the AP keep flying in this cool and rather unusual uncoupled mode. By the way, one of my pet peeves is a pilot who hand-flies while ignoring the FD commands – definitely a bad habit pattern to form. So, when I disconnect the AP to start flying by hand, I always remove the command bars from view. There’s more than one way to do this, but a simple one is to merely tap the mode button for the existing roll command, HDG, NAV or APPR.
What a fun time we had! The weather was clear and calm with very little low altitude turbulence. The Arizona scenery was awe-inspiring and the passengers were friendly and appreciative. The lunch in the more-than- a-century-old classic dining room was delicious and came with fabulous service. I thank God for letting me still enjoy experiences like this!
The next time you treat your passengers to a low altitude visual tour of your favorite area or one of our nation’s scenic wonders, give these AP modes a try. You’ll like them! KA
King Air expert Tom Clements has been flying and instructing
in King Airs for over 46 years, and is the author of “The King Air Book,” and “The King Air Book - Volume II.” He is a Gold Seal CFI and has over 23,000 total hours with more than 15,000 in King Airs. For information on ordering his books, contact Tom direct at twcaz@msn.com. Tom is actively mentoring the instructors at King Air Academy in Phoenix.
If you have a question you’d like Tom to answer, please send it to Editor Kim Blonigen at editor@blonigen.net.
24 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
APRIL 2020