Definition
A phrase used in autopilot and flight director system descriptions to indicate that the human pilot manually flies the aircraft in a way that matches, or tracks, the steering commands generated by an automatic system. The pilot uses the cues displayed (typically on a flight director) as a guide and moves the controls so the aircraft responds as the system is directing.
Plain English
The autopilot or flight director shows the pilot what to do, and the pilot hand-flies the aircraft to match those instructions instead of letting the autopilot do it directly.
Context Anchor
Seen in descriptions of guidance systems, cockpit displays, procedures, and instructions where the pilot must take the action rather than letting automation do it.
Derivation
“Follow” comes from Old English words meaning to go after, come after, or act according to something. In this aviation use, it does not mean flying behind another airplane; it means acting according to a command, display, or instruction.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains pilot proficiency and ensures immediate manual control is available if automation fails or must be disconnected.
Intuition Check
Do not read “followed” as “flying behind.” Here it means “acted on” or “complied with” by the pilot.
Example Sentence 1
With the autopilot disengaged, the steering bars on the flight director are followed by the human pilot, who moves the yoke to keep the aircraft on the commanded path.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor required the student to keep the aircraft followed by the human pilot through the entire traffic pattern.