Collings Foundation and CAF Ride Program

[airtj]

Just wondering if any of the Collings Foundation or the CAF has autopilots installed on their ride aircraft. I cannot imagine flying these heavy aircraft cross country without the aid of an autopilot. If they do not have a modern autopilot installed, do they have the WWII autopilot installed?

[51fixer]

Auto pilots are for kids.
When I rode on the B-24 no auto pilot system installed.
Aircraft have some inherent stability and has adjustable trim tabs to fine tune controls for long cruise and the various operating modes such as climb and take off.

[flyingsailor]

Neither "FIFI" not Diamond Lil have any auto-pilot.... from what I understand, both are fairly easy to maintain heading and altitude unless there is alot of movement in the back of the Liberator, she is somewhat sensitive to CG changes.

Chris
Flight Crew "FIFI" and Diamond Lil

[Fouga23]

What's the fun of flying when you can't be hands-on?

[Xrayist]

Kind of like being given the keys to an origiial Shelby 427 Cobra and having cruise control installed on it!

[p51]

It's not like these guys are flying as long as the bombing missions in WW2. I'd imagine a 2-3 hour flight would be the maximum they'd have. All the flights I've ever had in warbirds have been under 2 hours when going from one display site to another.
And considering how much competition there is to fly these things, can you imagine the conversation in the cockpit: "So you beat out a dozen multi-engine IFR-rated pilots to fly this thing, only to throw on the auto-pilot as soon as you could?"

[SPANNERmkV]

TEXAS RAIDERS' autopilot is placarded INOP.

Weaklings need not apply.

SPANNER

[WIXerGreg]

The original autopilot on Witchcraft has been removed and there is a modern GPS in it's place. When not in use they have a cover that snaps in place over the GPS that looks exactly like the original panel. There's a video on Youtube with JimH showing it and the rest of the cockpit but I can't seem to find it right now.

[51fixer]

The original autopilot on Witchcraft has been removed and there is a modern GPS in it's place. When not in use they have a cover that snaps in place over the GPS that looks exactly like the original panel. There's a video on Youtube with JimH showing it and the rest of the cockpit but I can't seem to find it right now.

Do you mean Boom Boom Round Propeller Go Jim Harley?

[Lynn Allen]

You only find those on corporate aircraft climbing out of 500'...

[Tiger Tim]

To put it in perspective, I and lots of people I know fly between one and two thousand miles a day with no autopilot. Not in bombers, mind you, but my ride WAS made by the folks who brought us the Betty...

-Tim

[airtj]

I was under the impression that these heavy bombers require a lot of muscle to control. I know that these aircraft have trim tabs to relieve some of the pressure on the controls. I was thinking that a long cross country could make the pilot and co-pilot tired because of all the strength to keep them on course.

[RickH]

Why, yes, AIRTJ, it is backbreaking work flying these aircraft. Only manly men, and one blonde headed lady I know, need apply ! Don't let anyone tell you different. And the jets are worse ! ( At least that's one Scooter pilot was told to say ! )

[Enemy Ace]

I would think that an autopilot would be a nice safety feature....all the macho chest beating aside an autopilot is a great safety feature if bad weather comes up or if there is another issue that needs to be worked on...think a gear problem while near gross with fuel or something along those lines.
-Robert

[WIXerGreg]

Found the B-24 video. The autopilot thing is about 3/4 of the way through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9MBrbOM ... re=related