Definition
An integrated avionics system combining two functions: a flight director, which computes and displays the pitch and bank steering commands needed to fly a selected flight path, and an autopilot, which can automatically move the flight controls to follow those same commands. The pilot selects the desired modes (such as heading, altitude, navigation tracking, or approach), and the system either shows the pilot how to fly them (flight director only) or flies them directly (autopilot engaged).
Plain English
A combined system that figures out how the airplane should be flown to follow a chosen path, then either shows the pilot what to do or flies the airplane itself.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when the aircraft is using flight management, navigation, or approach guidance and the pilot is choosing whether to hand-fly the cues or let the autopilot follow them.
Derivation
Auto- comes from Greek autos meaning 'self,' and pilot from Latin/Italian roots meaning 'one who steers.' So autopilot literally means 'self-steering.' Flight director is plain English: a system that 'directs' the pilot how to fly.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces pilot workload during instrument flight while maintaining precise control and providing visual guidance that supports smooth hand-flying when needed.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the flight director flies the airplane. The flight director shows what to do; the autopilot flies only when it is engaged and following that guidance.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling off in cruise, the pilot engaged the autopilot/flight director system in heading and altitude hold modes.
Example Sentence 2
Following the flight director bars on the primary flight display, the pilot hand-flew the approach using guidance from the autopilot/flight director system.