How Does Autopilot Work

That means an autopilot needs to have several different components.
How does autopilot work. Itll have to make friends with your steering system. Itll have to fight currents waves and wind without losing its way. The three axis autopilot systems are capable of controlling an aircraft in all the 3 axes roll pitch yaw with the help of all three ailerons elevators rudder image courtesy of bill harris. How do autopilot systems work.
An autopilot is a flight control system that allows a pilot to fly an airplane without continuous hands on control of the airplane. Gps navigators for example can have a full flight plan entered from departure to destination and the autopilot will follow the navigators guidance. It allows the pilot to focus on higher order tasks such as navigating communicating with air traffic control planning for weather contingencies and rerouting associated with any kind of emergency circumstance. If a you havent touched the steering wheel in awhile it will alert you visually and audibly to take control.
The secret to his success or at least one of his secrets. The autopilot is a powerful computer that takes input from either the pilot or a navigation device and essentially does what it is told to do. If that is the autopilot works correctly. The autopilot system is designed to sense if your hands are on the wheel.
Post had a navigator by the name of harold gatty to help him stay alert and fight fatigue on that historic flight.