Narrative:

I am filing this report report as a method of feedback; because after we landed I was bothered as to whether or not I did the right thing. The approach chart for the ILS 5 at orf has a note saying that 'autopilot coupled approaches are not auth. Below 744 ft.' after briefing the approach I decided to disconnect the autopilot at 744 ft msl. At almost exactly that point on the approach; the glide slope indication became slightly unstable; the glideslope needle started indicating low scale momentarily; and then returning to center. Because of the note on the approach chart I would say that I was mentally prepared for some kind of variation; at no time did it indicate a full scale deviation; nor did the approach become unstable. We 'broke out' right at min's and landed safely; but after parking the aircraft; and going to the hotel I felt that the glideslope indication was out of the ordinary and I should report it. At no time did I feel like I should go around the glideslope needle variation never reached full scale nor did the approach become unstable. I think that whatever is the cause of the note on the approach chart about autopilot coupled approaches not being auth; below 744 [ft] msl needs to be identified and fixed.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Air Carrier Captain noted an ORF Runway 5 glideslope deflection near 700 ft at about the point which the ILS 5 approach chart advised 'autopilot coupled approaches are not auth. below 744 ft.'

Narrative: I am filing this report report as a method of feedback; because after we landed I was bothered as to whether or not I did the right thing. The approach chart for the ILS 5 at ORF has a note saying that 'autopilot coupled approaches are not auth. below 744 ft.' After briefing the approach I decided to disconnect the autopilot at 744 ft msl. At almost exactly that point on the approach; the glide slope indication became slightly unstable; the glideslope needle started indicating low scale momentarily; and then returning to center. Because of the note on the approach chart I would say that I was mentally prepared for some kind of variation; at no time did it indicate a full scale deviation; nor did the approach become unstable. We 'broke out' right at min's and landed safely; but after parking the aircraft; and going to the hotel I felt that the Glideslope indication was out of the ordinary and I should report it. At no time did I feel like I should go around the glideslope needle variation never reached full scale nor did the approach become unstable. I think that whatever is the cause of the note on the approach chart about autopilot coupled approaches not being auth; below 744 [ft] msl needs to be identified and fixed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.