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"Even though I have an STEC 50
with a manual pitch trim wheel, I still have made it a rule to turn off the
AP every 1/2 hour and hand fly for 5 or ten minutes to make sure the loose nut
behind the yoke gets retightened."
A sound plan Grayhawk!
After a three-hour flight westbound over the
Rockies (mostly at 12,500') and about to enter downwind at destination, I
alarmed my passenger when I had to declare a "problem" to the tower, as my
controls were jammed. Using power, trim and gentle rudder
adjustments I made a wide circle to line up with the runway (already staked out
with emergency vehicles), and made a smooth, "uneventful"
landing.
Imagine my surprise when, after taxiing to the
nearest FBO, completing the shut-down procedure, and switching off the master,
the control wheel suddenly flopped over, loose.
Imagine my embarassment as it dawned on me
that, having enjoyed a remarkably smooth 450 mile trip, I had
forgotten to turn off the autopilot!
JHK
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