Questions tagged [autopilot]
An autopilot is a system used to guide an aircraft without assistance from a person.
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Helicopter autopilot
Is there any video or explanation how parallel actuators work on 4 axis helicopter autopilot ?
I am familiar with beep trim and trim release buttons, but want to know how it all works in the ...
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How do I get rated to fly complex aircraft that are still Microlights?
In the most recent issue of the BMAA magazine, there are new aircraft listed that are still Microlights, but have complex features. These include Autopilot(!), retractable landing gears and even ...
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Why did autopilot switch to CWS P on a LNAV/VNAV approach, and why didn't it reduce descent rate to comply with CDU alts when VNAV was re-engaged?
We were performing an NDB approach the other day due to the ILS being unserviceable.
We are flying a 737-800, FMC Update 14.0 (“common VNAV”)
We were using LNAV and VNAV as our roll and pitch modes ...
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ST-901 GPSS Converter diagrams
I'm looking for pin-out diagrams for the S-Tec ST-901 GPSS Converter. This unit will go between a Garmin GPS400W GPS Navigator and an S-Tec 50 autopilot.
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Pitch control in PX4 autopilot
I am trying to translate controller diagram of fixed wing px4 attitude control into mathematical form. While going through the controller diagram Fixed-Wing Attitude Controller looking into PX4 github ...
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Is an autopilot failure an emergency?
If the autopilot of an airliner fails, but everything else still works, weather conditions are good, and the pilots are able to hand-fly the plane with no problems, is this an emergency? Would they ...
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As of 2023, why do we still not have an airplane that can be operated by a person with very little training?
In the past 20 years the following technologies reached full maturity:
Computers now have immense computation power, sufficient to process real-time video with several backup systems for a relatively ...
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Why would planes with two autopilots have just one active during cruise?
I know that the plane must have two autopilots for flying approaches, but why have individual buttons for each autopilot? Wouldn't it be easier to have both autopilots work at the same time for the ...
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Why do autopilot controllers use $\theta$ as the input signal rather than $\gamma$?
In particular, referencing how the Matlab/Simulink controller here uses $\theta$ (absolute pitch angle), rather than $\gamma$ (flight path angle). (Autopilot controller starts at 59:26)
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How do autopilots maintain/adapt wind crab angle while flying a certain course over the ground?
How do autopilots maintain/adapt the wind crab angle while flying a certain course? With ailerons or rudder, or both?
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Boeing 747 Autopilot Pitch Modes Logic (Path Integrator)
I am hoping this will be my final question(s) concerning the 747 autopilot, given that the roll modes are now complete and I am finally on to the pitch modes...
All information on how this autopilot ...
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What does the term "Course Cut Limit" mean in relation to an autopilot?
In several manuals detailing the autoflight systems of some aircraft, it is common to see the VOR/LOC capture mode have something called a 'course cut limit.' What is this term referring to? I am ...
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How much thrust should be applied when you set the autopilot to a specific altitude?
After a plane takes off the pilot usually sets the autopilot to the altitude of the flight level they are about to cruise at, e.g. 30,000 ft, right? When that is the case, how much thrust should be ...
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What is the largest aircraft ever successfully flown and landed with no pilot on board?
I'm not sure if this belongs here or on the drone site.
What is the largest aircraft (not spacecraft) that has completed an entire flight, including takeoff and no- or minimal-damage landing, either ...
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TruTrak Vision PMA Autopilot Limitations for coupled instrument procedures- C172M - STC SA04231CH
I am currently flying a Cessna 172M with a TruTrak Vision Autopilot installed under STC SA04231CH. Section 2.4 of the approved AFMS states:
This autopilot has not been evaluated by the FAA to meet ...
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Why would the 737 autopilot A disengage without engine-driven hydraulic pump during heavy demand?
Note: Loss of the system A engine-driven hydraulic pump, and a heavy demand on system A, may cause A/P A to disengage.
Just finding it difficult to understand why the A/P would disengage in this case....
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What is needed in a plane to fly approach mode?
Do you need anything other than approach mode to be able to have the plane fly the ILS to minimums? Do you need a EFD (glass cokpit) or can it be done with steam gages as well?
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Are stories of autopilots in things like the J-3 basically urban myth?
While my own research makes plain that the Cub-owning community seems to consider the idea of installing even the most basic autopilot into a Cub a mortal sin, there are scattered accounts on the web ...
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Will the autopilot raise the AoA above the critical AoA to maintain altitude?
NOTE: This question is regarding commercial airliners (eg: Boeing 737, Airbus A320, etc.. This is for any given configuration of the aircraft)
Will the autopilot raise the AoA above the critical AoA ...
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What happens if the autopilot fails to initiate a flare?
What are the chances of autopilot failing to do a flare in an otherwise stable autopilot controlled approach and landing? Has it happened before and how was it dealt with?
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How do airplanes measure cross-wind?
Are aircraft equipped with any instruments that measure actual crosswind velocity during a flight? What is that instrument called and is it used by autopilots to apply wind correction?
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 ...
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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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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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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 ...
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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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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 ...
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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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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?
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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 ...
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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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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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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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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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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