Definition
The values a pilot dials into the autopilot and flight director system before they are needed — typically the initial altitude, heading, course, and airspeed — so that when the relevant autopilot mode is engaged, the system flies to and holds those preset targets.
Plain English
The numbers you set on the autopilot ahead of time so it knows what altitude, heading, course, or speed to fly once you turn it on or switch modes.
Context Anchor
Seen during the before-takeoff check, when the pilot confirms that the autopilot is set up correctly before departure.
Derivation
From 'pre-' (before) and 'select' (to choose). A preselect is a value chosen in advance — set now, used later when the autopilot mode that uses it becomes active.
Why Pilots Care
They let the autopilot take over smoothly and reduce workload by capturing the desired flight path without abrupt corrections or constant manual input.
Intuition Check
Autopilot preselects do not mean the autopilot is already flying the airplane. They are settings prepared in advance for the autopilot to use later.
Example Sentence 1
During the before-takeoff check, the pilot verified the autopilot preselects matched the clearance: heading 270, altitude 3,000, and the course set to the first fix.
Example Sentence 2
With the heading preselect armed the autopilot turned to the assigned runway heading after takeoff.