Wondering about the definition of autopilot? Keep reading to learn the meaning of autopilot, see some examples, and get a better understanding of this travel glossary term!
What is Autopilot?
Autopilot is an aircraft system used to control a plane’s trajectory without manual control required.
Autopilot does not replace the need for a pilot or co-pilot (for now), but assists them in controlling the aircraft, allowing them to focus on broader aspects of operation, such as monitoring the trajectory, weather, and instrumentation systems. It also grants them a break during the middle of a flight, when human control is less necessary.
More on Autopilot
“George” is a colloquial term for autopilot, which comes from the early days of flight when pilots found the idea so magical and novel that it felt that they had another pilot in the cockpit with them.
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