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CONNECTIONS
ASKTHEPILOT
With Captain Mike Bowers
Q: I know that autopilot
can be safely engaged
at cruising altitudes,
but can it also be
engaged for takeoffs
and landings?
A:
Autopilot capabilities
vary among aircraft.
All United aircraft
are equipped with an
autopilot integrated with
a Flight Management
System that communi-
cates with the autopilot
to provide the highest
levels of performance
and accuracy. Auto-
pilots are not used for
takeoff. We typically
engage the autopilot
shortly after takeoff
(as early as 200 feet
of altitude in a Boeing
777) and disengage it
a few minutes before
landing. In low-visibility
conditions, however,
the pilots can select the
autopilot to land the
aircraft automatically.
This reduces the
pilots’ manual work-
load and frees them
to monitor the instru-
ments and acquire
the runway visually.
Do you have a question for
Captain Bowers? Write him
at askthepilot@united.com.
SEPTEMBER IS
Hunger Action Month. And
thismonth and throughout the year, nearly
49 million people—close to one-sixth of
the U.S. population—are uncertain where
they’ll get their next meal. They are our
neighbors, our co-workers and our friends,
yet they o en struggle in silence.
Feeding America, the nation’s leading
hunger-relief charity, works to give voice
and nourishment to people suffering
from hunger. Through a network of more
than 200 food banks nationwide, Feeding
America helps provide food and grocery
items to 37million people in need, including
14 million children and 3 million seniors.
For three years, United has partnered
with Feeding America, helping to provide
more than 4 million meals. In 2011, United
co-workers in each of the company’s eight
U.S. hub cities volunteered at local food
banks. The team is pitching in again this
month and inviting customers to join in
the effort, dubbed “Speak Out Against
Hunger.” There are several ways you can
help, including:
• Turn your miles into meals by donating
1,000 MileagePlus® miles to help provide
240 meals to people in need.
• Purchase a ChoiceMenu snack box on
your flight today; United will contribute
a portion of the sale to Feeding America.
• Visit hungeractionmonth.org to learn
how you can take action in your own
community.
United is committed to supporting the
programs and organizations that address
important needs in our communities. With
your help, we will work to make hunger a
distant memory. For more information, go
to
united.com/feedingamerica
.
TakingAction
Join United as we help to feed America
CAN-DO ATTITUDE
United’s
Nicole Lee, center, pitches in
at a Chicago-area food pantry
18
SEPTEMBER 2012
•
HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM