Autopilot

Autopilot is an automatic flight control system that maintains the aircraft on a preset flight path without continuous manual input from the pilot. Modern autopilots can manage all phases of flight from initial climb to approach.

Common autopilot modes:

• HDG: Heading hold/select
• ALT: Altitude hold
• VS: Vertical speed
• LNAV: Lateral navigation (follows FMS route)
• VNAV: Vertical navigation (follows FMS profile)
• APP: Approach mode (captures ILS/RNAV approach)

The autopilot reduces pilot workload but does not replace pilot monitoring and decision-making. Pilots must be prepared to disengage and fly manually at any time.