What is Autopilot?

You've heard the word "Autopilot". In latest, Tesla Cars are using Autopilot system in their cars. Autopilot Means, there is no work for manually operations.

Autopilot is a device which operates on autopilot system software. Autopilot is used to guide aircraft, ships, marines, and space ships without direct assistance from pilot.

What is Autopilot ❓

Now, Cars are also build in autopilot system. Cars can also drive without any assistance from driver. It is latest technology and upgraded version of Autopilot is Used in these Cars.

Autopilot mode in cars

In Early, autopilots were only able to maintain a constant heading and altitude, but Now modern autopilots are capable of controlling every part of the flight envelope from just after take-off to landing.

An autopilot is a device used to guide an aircraft without direct assistance from the pilot. Autopilot software, which is integrated with the navigation systems, is capable of providing control of the aircraft throughout each phase of flight.

In an emergency, the pilot can disconnect the autopilot and usually take manual control by pressing the easily mounted switch on the control column (although alternative means of isolating the autopilot are available).

Pilots in Cockpit

An autopilot is a system used to control the trajectory of an aircraft, marine craft or spacecraft without requiring constant manual control by a human operator.

This system, which can follow the flight plan, can stabilize speed and height as well as the location of the front of the aircraft (heading). Pilots mostly lead the aircraft in a controlled manner by autopilot except for departure and landing. Autopilot is mostly used on passenger aircrafts.

How it's work?

In general, it controls the movement of aircraft around the center of gravity and directs the aircraft according to safety parameters.

Route data prepared before the flight is uploaded to this software. From the moment the autopilot is instructed by the pilot, it controls the aircraft within this route.

In newer systems, the autopilot can perform most of the classic flight maneuvers. The climbing flight and the descent flight are guided by the pilots except in extreme cases.

Autopilot performs all operations in accordance with the pilot's commands.

Pilot commands to activate autopilot mode

An autoflight system works by sending signals to the flight control system. The pilot inputs what type of mode they want, like a heading hold mode or an altitude hold mode.

You can think of an autopilot as an extra crew member. Pilots do three things when they fly the airplane:

They aviate, that’s actual hands-on control, stick-and-rudder control;
they navigate, which is actually planning a route of course; and
they communicate.

Pilots have to communicate with air traffic control, look at on-board systems to maintain the status of the mechanical components of the aircraft, and plan for weather contingencies.

The autopilot performs one of those three tasks and alleviates the pilot from actually aviating, the hands-on control.

Is landing by Autopilot possible?

Autopilot is activated sometime after takeoff and is switched off before landing. Autopilot can function as a pilot when the sight is reduced or the flight system is malfunctioning.

Normally, it is seen that autopilot is operated at a level flight where a fix altitude, speed is maintained by Autopilot.

Landing by Autopilot

Usually, it cannot takeoff or landing by Autopilot system, but It can land the plane in accordance with the necessary commands. It's called an automatic landing system.

If the aircraft is trying to land under difficult conditions if there is a fog that completely blocking the sight, the aircraft's landing is performed in accordance with certain safety parameters with the help of ILS (Instrument Landing System).

Can Autopilot operated in emergency conditions?

Autopilot is software based device which is operated on inputs given by pilot. Autopilot cannot replace pilot for controlling of aircraft.

In normal flights, Autopilot can easily fly the aircraft from one airport to another, but in some critical cases it should be disengaged.

Emergency conditions

In emergency conditions, Pilot normally disengaged Autopilot from operation and take all controls manually.

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).

In emergency conditions, The initial communication, and if considered necessary, any subsequent transmissions by an aircraft in distress should begin with the signal MAYDAY, preferably repeated three times. The signal PAN-PAN should be used in the same manner for an urgency condition.

Urgency communications have priority over all other communications except distress, and the word PAN-PAN warns other stations not to interfere with urgency transmissions.

Conclusion:

Safe and efficient operation of automated systems depends on capabilities and a clear understanding of the equipment design philosophy.

Failure to understand this level has resulted in many fatal accidents. Autopilot mode can be safe but we can't Fully depend on software based device.