AutoPilot
Autopilot has been around for several years as far back as 1914. This is nothing new, but airplanes now are run by autopilot. An autopilot is a device used to guide an aircraft without direct assistance from the pilot. Early autopilots were only able to maintain a constant heading and altitude, but modern autopilots are capable of controlling every part of the flight envelope from just after take-off to landing. Modern autopilots are normally integrated with the flight management system (FMS) and, when fitted, the autothrottle system. (Skybrary) When first starting out flying, a student pilot won't use autopilot because they will be learning how to control the airplane. Eventually, they will learn more about the aircraft and how to use the autopilot. Autopilot has many features within the soft where. Many people think autopilot fly’s a plane all by itself, in many cases it does but there are a few that don’t. for instance, autopilot follows a flight plan imputed by the pilot into the computer. Another case is the plane cant take off by itself there must be someone controlling the plane so there are no issues but while in the air a reasonable distance away from the airport the pilot can toggle the autopilot. At any stage of the flight, the pilot can intervene by making appropriate inputs to the autopilot or the FMS. In an emergency, the pilot can disengage the autopilot and take over manual control, usually by pressing a switch mounted conveniently on the control column (although alternative means of disengaging the autopilot are available) (Skybrary ). There are different types of autopilot from the most basic to the most complex. The most basic would consist of holding the heading and altitude with minimal change. The most complex would be Category 3, “Greater precision is required when flying a CAT II or CAT III approach, special attention is given to the terrain in the runway undershoot to enable a radio altimeter to be used. CAT II and CAT III approaches are therefore always flown to a DH with reference to a radio altimeter. CAT II and CAT III instrument approach and landing operations are not permitted unless RVR information is provided (SkyBrary).” Autopilot can have its flaws because there have been several crashes that autopilot has been the cause (Skybrary). Autopilot is a great feature to have on an Airplane and it will continue to get better where there are no issues.