How does an auto pilot work?

Answer 1

Autopilot or otherwise known as Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) is an integrated system in most advanced airplanes. Autopilots can control from one to three axes of motion. They work by controlling the main control surfaces on a plane, ailerons which control roll along the longitudinal axis, rudder which control yaw along the vertical axis, and elevator which control pitch along the lateral axis. To operate the system, the pilot enters the information, such as altitude and heading, and the system compares this information with sensors on the airplane. If the autopilot senses a discrepancy between the pilot input and the sensors on the airplane, it sends a signal to the servo in charge of moving the control surface in order to correct this discrepancy. For example if the pilot enters into the autopilot an altitude of 10000ft, and the altimeter sensor detects that the altitude is 8000ft the autopilot will send a signal to the servo that controls the elevator, this signal will tell the servo to move the elevator up in order to increase the altitude. This motion of the elevator is the same as if the pilot had pulled back on the yoke to increase altitude.The most common autopilots control the following surfaces.Single axis autopilot - control the aileronsDual axis autopilot - control ailerons and elevatorThree axis autopilot - control ailerons, rudder, and elevator

Answer 2

The autopilot on a plane will fly the plane just like a car on cruise control, but the plane has sensors that will use the gps to adjust for weather and turbulence.