Plane & Pilot Snap Quiz: Autopilots

1. One of these is a kind of autopilot. Which one?

Rate-based
Periodic tracking
Radio-receptive
Channel-based

2. What’s an advantage of most legacy, attitude-based autopilots when compared to non-gyro units?

They’re less prone to catastrophic failure.
They’re more precise.
They’re cheaper to maintain.
The gyro is electrically powered.

3. What function is often referred to as FLCH (pronounced “filch”)?

Glideslope capture? (GS)
Control wheel steering (CWS)
Yaw damper (YD)
Indicated airspeed hold (IAS)

3. What function is often referred to as FLCH (pronounced “filch”)?

Glideslope capture? (GS)
Control wheel steering (CWS)
Yaw damper (YD)
Indicated airspeed hold (IAS)

4. When was the first autopilot tested?

1912
1934
1936
1945

5. True or False: Autopilots in light planes can usually fly the plane down to a landing.

True
False

6. What’s the fewest number of axes an autopilot must control to be certified by the FAA?

One
Two
Three
Four

7. What control is typically controlled by the third axis?

8. What’s the most common type of Stability Augmentation System (SAS) in light fixed-wing aircraft?

Yaw damper
Wing leveler
Roll control
Approach coupler

9. What is Control Wheel Steering?

By pressing a button, the pilot gets manual control of the plane.
By pressing a button, the pilot controls the plane through the autopilot.
It allows the controls to move in concert with the inputs of the autopilot.
It puts the plane into autopilot mode for taxiing, too.

10. What might an envelope protection feature in a light plane autoflight system do?

11. In recent years the FAA has eased certification of electronics in light planes. What was its main rationale?

New instruments will reduce overall risk.
The FAA's workload didn't allow it to spend the time on Part 23 projects.
The new autopilots were all based on ones that had previously been certified.
All the new autopilots were rate-based, so the risk inherent in them was limited.

Bonus Round: Just for fun, what plane is the autopilot controller shown above installed on?

Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Boeing 747
Tupolev Tu-144
Douglas DC-3

Name

First Last

Email

Yes, I’d like to receive the FREE Newsletter for the latest news, information and exclusive promotions. Information will be used in accordance with our privacy policy.