During which operation is autopilot minimum use height set to 50 ft AGL?

The minimum use height for autopilot during an ILS approach is set to 50 feet AGL due to the nature of the precision involved in this type of approach. An ILS (Instrument Landing System) approach is designed to provide precise lateral and vertical guidance to the runway, allowing pilots to maintain alignment and descent profile accurately.

At 50 feet AGL, the aircraft is at a very low altitude, making it critical for pilots to have complete control of the aircraft. The manual control at this stage allows for immediate response to any factors that may affect the landing, such as sudden weather changes or obstructions.

In contrast, for other operations like a visual approach, standard cruise, or a go-around, the minimum use heights differ. During visual approaches, pilots often rely more on visual cues and may opt to disengage the autopilot at heights higher than 50 feet. During cruise, the autopilot can be operational throughout the flight, and a go-around scenario requires pilots to take manual control when initiating the go-around, which typically occurs from a higher altitude.

Thus, for an ILS approach, setting the minimum use height of the autopilot to 50 feet AGL ensures that pilots are prepared for a manual landing as