Autopilot On / Command A

[Martin Connor 0]

When as pilot Flying, I have the autopilot off on climb out, and can instruct the PM to select LNAV, VNAV HDG SEL, but not Autopilot.  The PM responds with CHECK but does nothing.  I can press Cmd A myself, so the conditions for engagement are met.

 

Any ideas please?

 

Martin

[carlito777 712]

I assume you say "Select Autopilot on"? Calling "Autopilot on" is only an annunciation to the PNF that you have turned on the autopilot.

[byork 2,258]

There must be no pressure on the control column when you call autopilot on.

 

Or the autopilot will not engage.

 

That's normal 737 behaviour.

 

FYI, in real life, the PF would normally turn on the autopilot by himself.

 

Cheers,

[Nyxx 6,993]

Martin,

 

Try

Call..............SELECT COMMAND A

 

Also what Bryan said above.

[Martin Connor 0]

Thanks Guys, I was missing the "Select".  

 

It looks like a long stretch for the pilot flying to reach to the far side of the MCP to press the CMD A button whilst in control of the aircraft.

 

Martin

[byork 2,258]

 

 

It looks like a long stretch for the pilot flying to reach to the far side of the MCP to press the CMD A button whilst in control of the aircraft.

 

Be sure to watch the various cockpit videos on YouTube.  It's basically almost always the PF flips it on.

 

Cheers,

[Martin Connor 0]

Thanks Bryan.