What are the advantages/ disadvantages for having autopilot turned on?

Question

What do the pilots do if its turned on? I guess they sleep or eat?

What's more to autopilot that I don't already know about?

Answer 1

Having an automatic pilot engaged can reduce the workload and permit attention to other things.  

If the automatic pilot is not understood, or if it is programmed wrong by the pilot then the aircraft will obediently do things the pilot doesn't want.  If a clearance or procedure calls for tight maneuvering the autopilot is not as good as handflying.

Answer 2

On the C130, the autopilot is very advantageous to lengthen the crew duty day, due to the fatigue factor. Our autopilot includes modes of Altitude Hold, Heading, Loc, Nav, Back Az, etc.

It flies the route programmed in to the Nav System.

There are no disadvantages.

Answer 3

Advantages: Smoother flight for passangers, allows you to concentrate on other issues such as communications and keeping an eye on your planes systems because you don't have to concentrate completely on keeping the plane level. Flying the CRJ-200 with auto pilot sure makes the job easier, moving up to bigger planes im sure ill appreciate it more and more.

Disadvantage: Gives you time to loose focus and direct your attention elseware, such as giving you time to go to the bathroom so you can check out the hot flight attendant on your flight hahahaha

Answer 4

advantage: plane will take a better flight for saving fuel and faster flight.

disadvantage: its only as good as the programmer makes it, Remember, the pilot is the one typing in the commands; so as AP is engaged, pilot is constantly checking to make sure they are in the right place

Answer 5

the pilot needs to relief himself . its a 12hrs flight man, he needs a LITTLE break.

Answer 6

just talk about disadvantage since all are saying the advantage, well now the pilots don't fly without autopilot even when MEL says it's usually a go. If they're carrying a 747 well i guess its hard but with a 737, plain pilots laziness.

Answer 7

Trying to think of a disadvantage.

Answer 8

The more sophisticated and complicated the aircraft, the more likely you are to have an autopilot.  The more complicated the aircraft the more help you'll need flying it.  The autopilot takes over some of the physical chores so you can monitor the aircraft systems and the progress of your flight.  

The autopilot is not there to relieve you of your responsibilities.  It is there to help you perform them.  There is no excuse for taking a nap or turning around in your seat for an extended chat with somebody in the back seat.  The autopilot takes over some of the chores so that you can concentrate on the airplane and the flight.

I always found that the major disadvantage of an autopilot was that the pilot who flew the airplane before me had it set for a specific use.  If I didn't think before engaging the autopilot and set it up for the use I intended, the autopilot would head off in the direction the last pilot intended.  Set it up before you engage the autopilot.