Rant starts here: Can you believe it? I get to Grade 5, with only 26 violations. All of those came as I first started flying on live. No violations for a long time, good flying techniques, paying close attention to everything… THEN… FINALLY get to Grade 5. Been there about two weeks. Taking a nice little flight in the SoCal region, on autopilot at about 10,000 ft heading to KPSP. Playing with my puppy on my lap. Sit my iPad down for just a second to get the dog a treat… WHO KNEW that my dog doesn’t like autopilot… Turns it off! Next thing you know I hear an “OVER SPEED” Warning… I crash. 1 violation. Back to grade 3 for a few days. No ghosting, No ATC to blame, just plain old not paying attention… All my fault.
This ever happen to anybody else?
Pic of the co-pilot that apparently HATES autopilot, but can’t hold the iPad because she HAS NO THUMBS! LOL
Tyler never stops giving, that’s for sure. When I use A/P I’m never hovering near the 10,000 ft area just to be on the safe side. I always allow at least 500 feet. I typically descend down to 12,000, then reduce speed to descend under 10,000. I highly recommend a different altitude if you need to set your A/P for any extended period.
Happens to the best of us! My Furry co-pilot ( 2 year old labradoodle) is the usual cause for any warnings I get. Last night as she was trying to get my attention during a flight caused me to have an speed warning above 10k as I forgot to set AP for speed in time, then I missed my TOD by a couple of miles and finally had a taxii speed warning! As soon as finished though she decided to ignore me for the rest if the evening!!
Every last of my violations have been because of speed. And all of those times i accidentally turned off the auto pilot without realizing until it was too late. Sucks i know. I’m on Grade 4 stuck on Grade 3 becuase of a speed viloation
