16Autopilot and flight director

16 Autopilot and flight director

The standard method of flight control for RNP AR operations is autopilot coupled. However, the use of a flight director instead of the autopilot is acceptable if:

(a) the aircraft manufacturer’s recommended operating procedures permit such use of the flight director; and

(b) the operator has provided each member of the flight crew with:

(i) guidance on when a flight director may be so used; and

(ii) training in the conduct of RNP AR operations using the flight director; and

(c) the operator has demonstrated to CASA that when the aircraft is flown with the flight director, FTE can be maintained within the permitted tolerances during all normal, rare-normal and non-normal circumstances.

Note The FTE used by the aircraft manufacturer to demonstrate RNP capability may be dependent upon the use of a coupled autopilot. A lesser RNP capability may be applicable to procedures flown using flight director.