Does the autopilot have to be disconnected during the emergency descent?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if autopilot is engaged
• D. It depends on altitude

Answer: (B)

During an emergency descent, you want to manage altitude and speed while keeping workload down. Modern autopilots can stay engaged and carry out a safe descent if you select the right mode and target altitude and set the desired speed. This can give you a stable flight path and let you focus on other urgent tasks, such as assessing the situation, communicating with ATC, and coordinating with crew. You would only disconnect the autopilot if you need direct manual control, if the automation isn’t responding properly, or if procedures call for hand-flying. The choice isn’t dictated by altitude alone, so it isn’t necessary to disconnect based simply on how high you are.