Is there any issue about autopilot aircraft?

Question

There are many advantages but of course there are disadvantages too, right?

Answer 1

Autopilots take the pilot's hands off the control yoke, allowing them to concentrate on the much more difficult tasks of planning and situational awareness. There really is no downside to using them as long as it is done correctly. The only malfunction that most autopilots will ever experience is the operator malfunction.

They are perfect machines and will do exactly what we tell them to do, even if what we tell them to do isnt right. If someone misprogrammed the autopilot in a Cessna, the Cessna doesn't care, its going to do what its programmed to do.

As far as falling asleep, I guess that's a possibility, but its more likely that a pilot who hand flies an airplane for hours on end will be so fatigued upon arriving at their destination that they will lack the mental acuity to execute a difficult approach and landing.

Answer 2

There are really no disadvantages to autopilot systems in general, however, operation of certain aircraft such as Airbus and Embraer models becomes limited if the AP becomes inoperable. This limitation does not effect safety, only the ability for the aircraft to be dispatched. On most aircraft, the autopilot simply reduces workload and allows pilots to focus on other important things (or not so important).

Answer 3

There is some concern about autopilot going haywire and causing some dangerous situations - this happened to my Dad in his Cessna once - and it's one reason I don't entrust my safety to any automatic device. Besides that, I imagine there's a potential for a pilot to become bored with autopilot on and fall asleep.

Another issue is that when you fly on autopilot, all you're doing is getting from point A to point B, like a machine - it really takes the fun out of flying.

Answer 4

All I can tell you is that any jet that is certified to be flown by one pilot (mostly business jets) is required to be flown on autopilot. And if the autopilot stops working, the pilot must land right away. This is not the case for a jet certified to be flown by two pilots. So what does that tell you about the advantages of an autopilot? The feds believe its advantanges far outweigh its disadvantages, to the point that it can make a human co-pilot obsolete in some cases.

Answer 5

Have you ever seen the blue screen on you computer saying:
"Your computer has experienced a fatal error and needs to shut down. Press any key to continue"

That's why there are still pilots flying.

Answer 6

Not exactly...once the auto pilot is on you just turn the nob so many degrees for right or left turns slowly. You use less gas and that coordinates are accurate.

Answer 7

No particular disadvantages beyond some additional cost and maintenance. My 172 has one, and it is a big help.

Answer 8

This question is far too vague. Do you mean aircraft that are pilot-less... aka UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and do you mean for reconnaissance or for passenger transport?

Answer 9

.................. I think there is no issue about the autopilot in modern aviation ........ without them ...... most of the the passenger air-crafts would be grounded .............. the only issue can be in a flying club ............. where you are new and flying only for thrills ..........