hi,I'd like to know on what the selecting of the autopilot depends: L, C or R. I know they are backed up by different systems, but I always see on picutres that mostly either the C or the L autopilot is engaged. Which one is used normally on the 747?cheers!Rob

Hi Rob,Normally it's the Left AP. I gather that some aircraft use the left AP if the captain is flying the sector and the right AP if the first officer is flying the sector. Not sure if that's an airline-specific thing or an aircraft-specific thing.Any of the three autopilots will do the job, but you should use the Left one if you want to follow normal conventions.

alright, thanks.Rob

Yes, standard practice is to engage the a/p on the side of the pilot flying (L if capt, R if F/O). Some airline suggests to cycle the APs during (long)flights to check them in turn for correct response. Three APs must be engaged for a CAT3B autoland.

Yet, the captain of the Cathay 747-400 in the ITVV video assigns 'central autopilot to command' after takeoff from Heathrow?Dave T. .........On the Devon Riviera and active 'FlightSim User's Group' member at http://www.flightsimgrpuk.free-online.co.uk/

Probably different depending on the company - I personally use the center one as well.

While the ITVV DVD Virgin 747-400 Captain engages the L A/P...Company guidelines and probably personal preference...

Being a "lefty" (left handed and left seated " I use the left autopilot or if I am flying from the F/O side, I use the right one.