Autopilot Onboard Aircrafts

Seminar for Mechatronics

Presented by:Pratheek Manjunath

Sathvik Varma 5th semester

RVCE, Bangalore

Contents• Introduction• Control surfaces of an Aircraft• Movement of an Aircraft• Principle of Operation• General Architecture of an AP system• Video of Auto land• Bibliography

Introduction• An autopilot is a mechanical, electrical, and

hydraulic system used to guide an aeroplane without assistance from the pilot.

• The pilot is relieved of most of the physical & mental fatigue of controlling an aircraft and is free to devote his attention to the management and direction of progress of the flight.

• On newer aircrafts today, the Autopilot has evolved into a comlex feature encompassing microprocessors and decision making systems which take over the complete control of an aircraft from take-off to landing.

Control surfaces

Movement of an Aircraft

Input to system1. Pilot commands2. Sensors on exterior3. Gyroscope4. Accelerometer5. Altimeter6. GPS7. ILS

Output from system1. Servo motors2. Actuators on exterior3. Spoilers4. Rudder5. Elevator6. Ailerons7. Engines

Principle of Operation

Principle of Operation

Principle of Operation

General Architecture of AP system

Autopilot system manufacturers

• Garmin• Thales• Rockwell collins• Honeywell

Auto-Land of B777 with CAT IIIB

Thank you !

BibliographyThe information presented in this seminar was

sourced from various websites :

1. Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autopilot

2. How stuff works ?! –http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/autopilot.htm

3. Rockwell collins – http://www.rockwellcollins.com/ecat/at/AFDS-770.html