3 ms·
1) the autopilot is actually quite dumb ("keep altitude", "fly on course X", "maintain set speed", "change altitude at rate X / to level Y"), doesn't handle exc
by p_l 4y ago
1) the autopilot is actually quite dumb ("keep altitude", "fly on course X", "maintain set speed", "change altitude at rate X / to level Y"), doesn't handle exceptions (in fact, autopilots are designed to disengage in case of exception), and is generally totally blind to environment other than heading, speed, altitude and optionally position (but not, for example, detailed environment on the ground)
2) The latency issues are literally deadly.
- bombcar 4y agoModern autopilots can taxi, takeoff, and with a supporting airport, even autoland. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoland https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoland
- p_l 4y agoOut of those three, the only one actually working anywhere is Autoland, and majority of airports don't support it. No airport supports autopilot taxi nor takeoff (takeoff is done half-automated at most).