Verbal Request For Auto Pilot On

leegra · **Joined:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:16 am **Posts:** 16

Lately, when I have set the auto pilot to be turned on at 500 feet AGL after takeoff, the captain issues the following command: "Auto pilot on, please." And, before he has completed his first request, he says it again. So, that's a duplicate request, one on top of the other...

I have been using this profile for some time, and I do not believe the captain has ever verbally ask that the auto pilot be turned on; it was just automatically done by the FCP (as requested in the Profile) when the plane reached 500 feet AGL… If the auto pilot is turned on this way, there is really no need for the captain to say the command.

So, what I'm asking is, can we either disable the captain's request; or, if he does make the request, can the FO respond that the AP is on, as he turns it on?

Also, if the captain is going to make the request, can we get him to do it just once?

I wonder if this occurs because of a change in a recent FMC update. Perhaps, you can tell us Dave. Thanks for your advice and help…

lee

leegra · **Joined:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:16 am **Posts:** 16

Sorry, for my abbreviation-challenged original post. That should have been Virtual Co-Pilot (not FCP) and Flight Deck Companion (not FMC)…lee

Ray Lunning · **Joined:** Wed May 20, 2009 7:19 pm **Posts:** 59

I have edited my .wav files. I didn't like the request "Auto Pilot on Please" Followed by "HDG on Please" then "ALT on Please".. I just don't think a Captain is going to keep asking for permission... Which is what it sounds like..

I now hear...."Auto Pilot ON...OK" "HDG ON OK" and "ALT ON OK" ...For me it sounds less like a request and more like an acknowledgement...

JUST an OPINION

leegra · **Joined:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:16 am **Posts:** 16

Is it possible to give the FDC user the option of whether he wants the captain to make these verbal requests (auto pilot, heading, altitude, auto throttle) of the Virtual Co-Pilot, or not? I still want the VCP to carry out the Profile instructions for these four actions; I just don't want the captain to have to verbally request them to have them happen. I think that would satisfy most everyone; or, am I missing something here?

lee

toriu · **Joined:** Thu May 21, 2009 12:30 am **Posts:** 37

I'm getting "Auto Pilot on Please" Followed by "HDG on Please" then "ALT on Please" all in very rapid succession. Sounds unnatural, unlike Mr Jacksons usual calm, professional tones

leegra · **Joined:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:16 am **Posts:** 16

I hope Dave hasn't been grounded by the volcano ash cloud...

lee

dmarch · **Joined:** Mon May 18, 2009 6:22 pm **Posts:** 833

Sorry, no I haven't been grounded ;-)

I will put an option in to turn these new calls off and release it during the next few days.

The call, incidentally, is a command/request (hence the 'please'). It is NOT an aknowledgement

Ray Lunning · **Joined:** Wed May 20, 2009 7:19 pm **Posts:** 59

Opinion: Its the reapeted "please" that sounds bad...

dmarch · **Joined:** Mon May 18, 2009 6:22 pm **Posts:** 833

Ray,

That's because your captain has good manners

leegra · **Joined:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:16 am **Posts:** 16

Hi Dave--Just wondered if you were able to find time to create an update that wouid make these captain call-outs optional? Thanks for your always solid support...lee

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Verbal Request For Auto Pilot On

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