Questions tagged [autopilot]
An autopilot is a system used to guide an aircraft without assistance from a person.
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What is the difference between autopilot and fly-by-wire system?
I observed a lot of people misinterpret these words. In my opinion, autopilot assists the pilot by inputting the commands to the computer whereas fly-by-wire (FBW) system sends and receives signals ...
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1answer
90 views
Feasibility and process for the approval of a modified glider [closed]
I am looking into a business idea that requires glider sized semi-automatic drones but I am very naive when it comes to the regulations and rigour of the aviation and airline industry, so I am hoping ...
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5answers
252 views
How do aircraft instruments determine the aircraft's orientation relative to the ground?
Autopilots exist for airplanes and drones, how is orientation measured with respect to ground? In particular how is the direction of gravity detected and how is it differentiated from acceleration due ...
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1answer
74 views
Can a normally poorly handling airframe with high moments of inertia actually have superior flight dynamics under autonomous control? [closed]
I’m not a pilot but know a thing or two about flight dynamics. As you know there are currently quite a few aircraft under development designed for low-and-slow and (eventually) autonomous flight. ...
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1answer
74 views
Does the Autopilot switch to ALT ACQ mode at a fixed altitude difference from target altitude?
For example, if climbing (or descending for that matter) at 3500 fpm, will the AP switch to ALT ACQ mode at the same point it will as when climbing or descending with 1000 fpm? Or does the point of ...
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1answer
209 views
How do I set up G1000 GFC700 autopilot for takeoff?
I want to be able to engage autopilot right away at a safe altitude, while taking advantage of flight level control at Vy for the climb.
Heading is set for the runway. I’d switch to NAV mode when I ...
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0answers
32 views
Choosing $\phi/\beta$ in Lateral-directional control design
In designing the Lateral-directional controller for aircraft, there is a parameter called $\phi/\beta$ that is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the bank angle to the sideslip envelopes in the ...
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0answers
90 views
When aircraft is flown by the pilot and when by the autopilot? What are common procedures? [duplicate]
I am courious about different phases of flight in which airplane is flown by the Pilot, and when by the Autopilot.
For example, I'm quite sure that generally pilots have full control during takeoff ...
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2answers
208 views
Can autopilot track ILS without any internal heading reference?
I am asking about the internal design of the autopilot of a CRJ200 (no autoland).
I was flying an ILS approach when the AHRS heading started to drift rapidly by 30 degrees. The autopilot somehow was ...
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1answer
126 views
How is the B737NG Autopilot controlling pitch?
In particular, does the Autopilot in a B737NG control the pitch only via trim adjustment, or first via the elevators and then trim?
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0answers
113 views
Why is it still mandatory to land a plane without autopilot? [duplicate]
I know that there are runways in the world that operate CAT III where the pilot can land with autopilot. But why do most airports with ILS not allow automatic landing?
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What does the autopilot do if activated in a stall condition?
I was thinking about Air France 447 recently and had a wonder:
What would happen if the pilots had re-engaged the autopilot and stopped all stick input? (If that's even possible in a stall condition). ...
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0answers
153 views
Boeing 747 Autopilot PID Controller
For a personal flight simulator project, I am creating my own custom Boeing 747 classic series. I have about 50% of the project complete at a level of detail nearly equivalent to study-level flight ...
6
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2answers
454 views
How did pilots maintain the Vomit Comet's parabolic trajectory?
How did the Vomit Comet maintain its free-fall trajectory? Careful trimming? Custom autopilot software? Or just good stick and rudder technique?
Wikipedia, citing references but without ...
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1answer
3k views
At what point can Approach mode be engaged in an A320?
In my experience using Flightgear and other computer simulators, when flying an ILS approach on an A320, the approach mode can only be engaged at a certain point or later. What is this point, and why ...
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2answers
561 views
How does one resume a VNAV climb in a B737 NG after being instructed to level off at an altitude below the Cruise altitude?
I am referring to a Boeing 737NG.
Assuming I am on a VNAV climb but I am instructed by ATC to climb only to an altitude lower than my FMC Cruise altitude.
After leveling off, how do I resume my VNAV ...
3
votes
1answer
598 views
What is the difference between Level Change and ALT INTV during VNAV descent?
I'm confused between the two. During descent for 737 PMDG, I usually start a descent via ALT INTV, but sometimes the plane doesn't response to ALT INTV but responds to LVL Change instead.
I need help ...
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0answers
100 views
Flying in V formation with multiple planes
Logistically choreographed using air-traffic controllers to pair like planes headed in the same direction or by scheduling flights together, how much fuel could be saved pairing planes to fly in a ...
3
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1answer
995 views
How to fly an RNAV (RNP) approach with VNAV in a Boeing 737?
Let us assume you are flying a B737NG and you are cleared for an RNAV (RNP) approach which has several legs with different altitude crossing restrictions.
What do you enter in the MCP altitude window?...
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2answers
400 views
What is the dutch roll filter? How does it work?
Some airplanes have a dutch roll filter for the "yaw damper."
What is the dutch roll filter?
When is it used?
Is it ever required for certification or operation?
How does it work?
3
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1answer
740 views
Why are the A300/310’s electric pitch trim switches inhibited with the autopilot engaged?
The A300/A310, like most other aircraft (except for some small general-aviation aircraft), has an adjustable-incidence-angle horizontal stabiliser, which is used to trim the aircraft in pitch (for ...
6
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1answer
594 views
Why does an A300/310 in LAND or GO-AROUND mode have to be at least 400 feet AGL for manual control column movement to disengage the autopilot?
Each of the A300/310’s two autopilots has two modes of operation:
In CWS (Control-Wheel Steering) mode, the autopilot(s) attempt to hold the attitude that the aircraft had at the moment of autopilot ...
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1answer
285 views
What profile will a Boeing 737 NG follow after pushing the ALT INTV button?
If one uses the ALT INTV button during a Climb or Descent in the Boeing 737 NG on the MCP, what profile (Speed/Path) will the AP follow in such a climb and/or descent? Is it the same as programmed in ...
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0answers
133 views
Can commercial automatic flight control fly back-side?
For most commercial flight director, autopilot and auto-throttle systems (e.g. the A330-300, B737-800), the flight director/autopilot flies the altitude hold (ALT) or vertical speed (V/S) mode by ...
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1answer
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Why is the autopilot of the DHC-6 Twin Otter powered by bleed air?
I was just reading through the POH of a DHC-6-100 Twin Otter and was surprised to read the following:
3.8.2 LOW PRESSURE - OTHER SYSTEMS. The airframe deicing system and
the autopilot are ...
2
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0answers
72 views
How often is a commercial (airliner) flight flown without autopilot? [duplicate]
When it comes to commercial flights, I am aware that once the aircraft has reached a certain altitude, the autopilot activates and assists the pilots in flying the aircraft. It makes being a pilot on ...
7
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1answer
745 views
Why was pitch angle protection not active in the CRJ 200 during the crash of Sweden Air 294?
I have read about the CRJ 200 Sweden Air 294 crash. I understood that the main cause of the accident was faulty IRU and wrong declutter PFD design. The human error also lead the aircraft into a ...
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2answers
197 views
Do all GA autopilots use cable "clutches"?
In researching General Aviation autopilots it seems to me that most commonly the way control surfaces are affected is via a servo that attaches (via a clutch) to the control cable. References here and ...
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3answers
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How often do GA pilots use the Autopilot approach feature while landing?
While flying in simulations, I found that using the Approach feature is very beneficial for riding the glide slope (clear weather or not), however, while watching videos of GA pilots, I do not see it ...
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5answers
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What does it mean when autoland is fail passive / fail operational?
The below explanation is what I've got from the internet about fail passive and fail operational:
Fail operational - Where you have 3 autopilots engaged, such that any single failure will result in ...
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0answers
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Can I change the max bank angle on the Garmin G1000 in the C172SP?
I wonder if I can change the max bank angle on the G1000/GFC700 avionics in a C172SP, like you can on the MCP of the 737NG?
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1answer
136 views
When will robots take over pilots? [closed]
So, I am considering a career being a pilot. However, the course is real expensive, and I do not want to invest so much money if in a couple of years robots will replace pilots.
So, anyone have any ...
4
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3answers
218 views
Does auto pilot take into consideration the altitude, speed, and the difference in heading change, to calculate the degree of bank?
Or is there a “standard” that the auto pilot follows at all times?
By “standard” I mean the aircraft will bank at x amount of degrees each time regardless of the following mentioned? The more you ...
asked Nov 30 '19 at 19:17
George Clooney In a Mooney
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3answers
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Is there any obvious warning when auto-pilot is disengaged or when the mode changes?
Under the investigation section of the First Air Flight 6560 incident, it describes the catalyst for the accident:
The approach was entirely flown on autopilot, which was correctly set to capture ...
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2answers
131 views
Does the AP disengage if the plane is upset and how would the flight controls react if not being held?
Does the AP (autopilot) essentially detect a rapid change in speed/altitude as a wild maneuver? If so, upon disengaging, if the pilots are not holding the control column in a neutral position, will it ...
asked Nov 28 '19 at 5:07
George Clooney In a Mooney
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3
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1answer
285 views
last 747 flight path, was this hand flown? How was this communicated with ATC? [duplicate]
Elal's last 747 flight made this nice path of a 747, how was this done?
Could this be entered into the computer and flown? or was this hand flown
The path looks quite neat
Also what is the ATC ...
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3answers
449 views
Can autopilot navigate automatically?
When the pilots enter their flight plan into the FMGS, the route will be shown on the ND. Can the autopilot automatically turn when needed with the given plan, or the pilots have to manually adjust ...
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2answers
301 views
What happens when auto-pilot fails over the ocean?
Let’s assume the current location puts the aircraft 2 hours from the nearest airport, but the destination is 2 1/2 hours away.
Would the pilots hand fly the rest of the way?
Are they allowed to fly ...
asked Oct 18 '19 at 8:35
George Clooney In a Mooney
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1
vote
2answers
320 views
On Airbus aircraft, can the pilot control the aircraft when the autopilot is active?
I am looking at the schematics of computerized control for Aibus aircraft and I do not understand the relation between the various control law and the autopilot.
Under "normal law" can the pilot ...
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2answers
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Are there take-over requests from autopilots?
I am thinking of the driver take-over request in automated driving, when the system limits are reached and the back-up driver has to intervene / drive manually. Is there something similar in aviation, ...
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1answer
394 views
Are there any plans to make the QF-16 into a drone for actual combat missions, or a fully autonomous fighter?
It appears to a naive layman like myself that the QF-16 is an excellent platform to use for remote controlled missions akin to that of other drones. Except that the F-16 appears to have a broader ...
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2answers
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Are there any aircraft with retractable vortex generators?
From this answer, “Of course, these also add drag, even when the wing is not stalling, so they are only added where needed”. Are there any aircraft that have vortex generators that are retractable so ...
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5answers
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Why does the autopilot disengage even when it does not receive pilot input?
After having read the disturbing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_South_Dakota_Learjet_crash
I'm left with the question as to why the computer allows for the autopilot to be disengaged when there ...
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2answers
859 views
What is the vertical speed limit when altitude mode is engaged?
This question applies to Airbus' autopilot but may not be restricted to just this manufacturer (there must be equivalent modes on ATR, Embraer, Dassault Falcons, etc.)
For the vertical plan, the ...
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1answer
220 views
Changing the interception angle in autopilot for OBS or VOR in the G1000 from 30 to something more aggressive
I am flying the G1000 and have noticed that if I program in an OBS TO or a VOR TO (this might apply to FROM as well), the angle at which I fly relative to my programmed in bearing is 30 degrees.
For ...
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3answers
438 views
QF72: How could a disconnected autopilot change the pitch?
So I was reading about flight QF72, where the A330 had incorrect sensor data. The aircraft automatically pitched the nose down twice in response to abnormally high incorrect angle of attack data, but ...
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2answers
271 views
Can an airliner be landed with only the auto pilot or remotely?
In this question: How autonomous are commercial passenger airliners? explains how automated the auto-pilot system can be. Could a pilot or more work the controls of the auto pilot that does not have ...
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2answers
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Can the 737 Max autopilot be engaged when some sensors have failed?
If some instruments on the 737 MAX 8 fail on the Captain's side and autopilot stops, can the First Officer engage autopilot (as the instruments on his side are fine)? In the ET 302 crash the Captain ...
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0answers
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Do aircraft use some kind of stability control to keep the aircraft on the runway during landing? [duplicate]
Modern automobiles use an electronic system called ESP to keep the car on track in slippery situations. Do modern jet liners have a similar system to aid the pilot in keeping the aircraft on the ...
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3answers
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Why are on-board computers allowed to change controls without notifying the pilots?
Recently we've had the 737-MAX debacle, where it increasingly appears that the MAX on-board MCAS system repeatedly would issue nose-down events, leading to the Lion Air crash, and possibly another
...
