Here's how an aircraft's autopilot system works ¹:
- *Manual mode*: The pilot selects each maneuver and makes small inputs into autopilot. Then autopilot moves the flight control surfaces to perform the maneuver.
- *Automatic mode*: The pilot selects the attitude and direction for a particular flight. Then autopilot moves the flight control surfaces to attain and maintain these parameters.
- *Basic components of autopilot*: There are 4 basic components of autopilot:
Sensing Unit – Input
A/P Computer – Processing
A/P servo – Outputs
Command unit – Pilot interface
- *Autopilot Integration*: Autopilots are integrated with other systems to make systems (AFCS) more capable. The capabilities of autopilot depend on how many other systems are integrated. Most advanced autopilot systems are typically integrated with navigational aids, flight directors, autothrottles, yaw dampers, and fly-by-wire systems.