Definition
An aircraft system that automatically controls the airplane's flight path by manipulating the flight controls to maintain a selected attitude, heading, altitude, vertical speed, or navigation track without continuous physical input from the pilot. The pilot remains in command and monitors the system, engaging or disengaging modes as needed.
Plain English
A system that flies the airplane for you while you watch over it. You tell it what heading or altitude to hold, and it moves the controls to make that happen.
Context Anchor
Seen in cockpit resource management, especially when using automation to reduce workload while still staying alert and in control.
Derivation
From Greek 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'pilot' meaning 'one who steers.' Literally 'self-steerer' — the airplane steers itself.
Why Pilots Care
It reduces pilot workload on long flights and allows attention to be directed to navigation, communication, and systems monitoring, but the pilot must still supervise the system and be ready to intervene.
Analogy
Like cruise control in a car that keeps speed steady without the driver pressing the pedal constantly.
Intuition Check
Autopilot does not mean the airplane is fully self-flying. It means the system can control selected flight tasks that the pilot has chosen and must keep monitoring.
Example Sentence 1
Once established in cruise, the pilot engaged the autopilot to hold altitude and heading while reviewing the approach plate.
Example Sentence 2
With the autopilot tracking the assigned heading, the pilot was able to focus on updating the flight plan with the latest weather information.