The aircraft had reached the altitude of 2000 feet as requested by the air traffic controller.
So far in this flight , the Co-pilot had been flying the aircraft while the Captain did supporting functions such as using the communication radio. This was (and is ) routine practice that crew take turns to "fly" and "support".
The Co-pilot asked the Captain if he should continue to fly the aircraft. The Captain allowed the Co-pilot to continue flying while he took a supporting role ( e.g. talking to the air traffic controller by radio).
The Captain asked the Flight Engineer about the hydraulic system pressure. The hydraulic system consists of fluid at a very high pressure. This pressure is used to move pistons which in turn move various parts of the aircraft including the lowering of the wheels.
The air traffic controller gave Flight 401 some new directions and asked it to maintain 2000 feet altitude.
The Captain then asked the Co-pilot to activate the autopilot system. The autopilot would continue to fly the airplane at the current altitude (2000 feet).
Co-pilot: We're up to two thousand (we have reached altitude 2000 ft) Co-pilot: You want me to fly it, Bob? (clarifying with Captain as to who should fly the aircraft) Captain: I'll talk to 'em (the Captain saying that he will talk to the air traffic controller & implying that the co-pilot should continue to fly the plane) Captain: We got pressure? (have we got hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic systems?) Flight Engineer: Yes sir, all systems ( the four hydraulic systems of the aircraft are functioning okay) Captain to air traffic controller: All right ahh, Approach Control, Eastern 401, we're right over the airport here and climbing to two thousand feet. Air traffic controller: Eastern 401, roger. Turn left heading three six zero and maintain two thousand (the air traffic controller gives further instructions. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 is asked to turn left, towards North, maintaining the altitude at 2000 feet), vectors to 9 Left Final
Captain to air traffic controller: Left three six zero (confirming that he will turn left towards North) Captain: Put the ... on autopilot here ( asking Co-pilot to make the autopilot system to fly the aircraft) Co-pilot: Alright
The autopilot control panel of an different aircraft. It is usually placed in a prominent position just below the windshield.
In this particular aircraft , the autopilot is set to maintain the flight altitude at thirty nine thousand feet.
