Definition
An aircraft system that automatically controls the airplane's flight path by manipulating the flight controls without continuous pilot input. A basic autopilot can hold heading and altitude; more capable systems can track navigation courses, fly approaches, and manage climbs and descents. The pilot remains responsible for the flight at all times and must monitor the autopilot's performance.
Plain English
A system that flies the aircraft for you, following settings you choose, while you watch over what it's doing.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach procedure notes and in inoperative components tables, where the chart shows what changes if the autopilot is not working.
Derivation
From 'auto' (Greek 'autos', meaning self) and 'pilot.' Literally 'self-pilot' — the aircraft pilots itself within the limits the human pilot has set.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces workload during long flights or instrument approaches and maintains precise control when the pilot is occupied with other tasks.
Intuition Check
Autopilot does not mean the aircraft flies itself with no pilot involvement. It means a system can control selected parts of the flight while the pilot remains responsible for monitoring and control.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling off in cruise, the pilot engaged the autopilot to hold heading and altitude while reviewing the approach plate.
Example Sentence 2
With the AP inoperative per the table, the pilot flew the entire procedure manually.