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I think you're forgetting (more than a few) important functions that an airliner autopilot can do. Off the top of my head there's auto-throttle, auto-trim, and

I think you're forgetting (more than a few) important functions that an airliner autopilot can do. Off the top of my head there's auto-throttle, auto-trim, and of course, if the runway is equipped, land the plane. Also, if the pilots input a heading change, the plane will execute a 1G turn using all control surfaces so it's almost imperceptible to the passengers. I think you're oversimplifying airliner autopilot.. by a lot.

craftinator 8y ago
I think that the comparison of an aircraft autopilot to a car autopilot is just apples to oranges. They both operate in completely different environments, with different amounts and types of noise, are designed at a high level to do totally different things (yes they both "steer", but the problems they solve have no overlap), and are functionally completely different. I see this comparison a lot, and it doesn't add anything to the conversation, other than pointless bickering.
ksherlock 8y ago
"autopilot" covers everything from a wing leveler to what you're describing. GP's description is entirely accurate for a general aviation airplane.
- civilitty 8y ago
  It's accurate but misleading when the training for general aviation costs a significant fraction of the car in question in 1 on 1 training alone. That Tesla is using a term easily misinterpreted by anyone who hasn't read an avionics manual stinks real bad.
rory096 8y ago
>and of course, if the runway is equipped, land the plane. There is certainly no such thing as an auto-land system in which the pilots are not required to be ready to take full control of the aircraft at a moment's notice. It is Level 2 in the strictest sense.
- janlaureys 8y ago
  My Tesla (or at least the one from my colleague I occasionally get to drive) blaring out "MINIMUMS" would definitely get my attention quicker than the soft chimes they have now when autopilot disengages.

craftinator 8y ago

I think that the comparison of an aircraft autopilot to a car autopilot is just apples to oranges. They both operate in completely different environments, with different amounts and types of noise, are designed at a high level to do totally different things (yes they both "steer", but the problems they solve have no overlap), and are functionally completely different. I see this comparison a lot, and it doesn't add anything to the conversation, other than pointless bickering.

ksherlock 8y ago

"autopilot" covers everything from a wing leveler to what you're describing. GP's description is entirely accurate for a general aviation airplane.

civilitty 8y ago
It's accurate but misleading when the training for general aviation costs a significant fraction of the car in question in 1 on 1 training alone. That Tesla is using a term easily misinterpreted by anyone who hasn't read an avionics manual stinks real bad.

rory096 8y ago

>and of course, if the runway is equipped, land the plane. There is certainly no such thing as an auto-land system in which the pilots are not required to be ready to take full control of the aircraft at a moment's notice. It is Level 2 in the strictest sense.

janlaureys 8y ago
My Tesla (or at least the one from my colleague I occasionally get to drive) blaring out "MINIMUMS" would definitely get my attention quicker than the soft chimes they have now when autopilot disengages.