Flight School: Teaching Automation

Pia Bergqvist

Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 04:17 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Autopilots are vital risk management tools in modern aviation, enabling pilots to improve situational awareness, reduce workload, and manage complex flight operations.
The introduction of autopilots into flight training should occur after fundamental manual flying skills are well-established, ideally through a graduated approach that integrates their use in increasing complexity (e.g., straight-and-level for private, high-workload phases for instrument flight).
It is crucial for pilots to deeply understand autopilot functions and limitations, ensuring they can effectively integrate it as a tool without substituting the development or maintenance of essential hands-on piloting skills.

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At what point should an autopilot be introduced into flight training?

Martha King has helped make aviation knowledge more accessible to pilots worldwide by combining elegant technology with clear, fun teaching. Martha holds every category and class of FAA rating on her pilot certificate, and every flight and ground instructor certificate. Her company, King Schools, also provides the curricula for more than 275 Cessna Pilot Centers. She says: