General Autopilot Questions & Answers

Autopilot difficulties are frequently mode-selection problems rather than faults. This hub explains heading, altitude, vertical-speed and navigation modes, how captures work, and why an aircraft may pitch or oscillate when speed, trim, power or controller inputs are not properly managed.

It also covers unexpected disconnects and the conditions required for LNAV or VNAV to engage in Boeing-style simulations, including a valid route, flight-director settings and appropriate intercept geometry. Answers written and tested by the Fly Away team separate general autopilot principles from aircraft-specific procedures, helping you diagnose what the annunciators and flight-mode display are actually commanding.