When should I turn on LNAV?

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I’ve always wondered when the most realistic time to activate LNAV is… I understand with controlled departures, you have to request flight following and then be cleared before you deviate from runway heading. However, in general, if it is not a controlled departure, when should I activate LNAV? I assume it depends on your flight plan and your initial MSL altitude, or maybe with other rules just up to the pilot.

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I recommend looking up charts so you can see the standard path flown on your SID. When you approach your flight plan, you can activate LNAV.

Also, you only request flight following if you have no flight plan and you’re flying visually. When you have a flight plan, check in (and nothing else) and you’re good to fly your flight plan.

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I dont think you’ll find a perfect answer here as many of us and pilots irl all have different preferences and factors that dictate when they’d engage it.

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That makes sense about the SID, and gotcha on the flight following. Thanks so much!

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Very true, definitely depends. Thanks!

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I am currently training for my PPL and I turn on LNAV over 200ft.

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Right after gear up.

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Oh cool, thanks for such a credible answer!

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Hold up! That early!? I wouldn’t turn on that stuff until I’m at least 1000 feet agl or out of the pattern

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But that’s in a Cessna. 🫣

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Do you have a 6 pack or G1000?

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G1000 You already know 😩

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Either way, I fly DA40s which are almost the same as the C152 or C172 (I’m assuming it’s one of those 2 you’re training in). The main difference is that the DA40 is a low wing aircraft and it’s made of composites. Back to LNAV, you usually do you 1000 foot checklist before doing any autopilot stuff. I’m sure there is nothing wrong with what you’re doing, given that you CFI probably has teach you this way and he/she probably has way more experience than I do. I just thought it was a little strange

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I totally agree my instructor had me do it for today’s training.

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