To what extent is the autopilot of an airplane automatic?

According to Jorge Henrique Bidinotto, professor of aeronautical engineering at USP in São Carlos, autopilot does not decide anything - just follow instructions. If the human pilot orders the plane to go up to 30,000 feet, for example, the computer takes care of changing the altitude, keeping the other variables constant.

When there is turbulence, the autopilot turns off on its own. If the commander does not consider it prudent to deal with poor weather in manual mode, he can give the airplane instructions to deviate from the clouds. Again: the plane until it stops resuming the command, but will only obey, without deciding.

Take-off and landing are also delicate: the first is entirely the responsibility of the human pilot. Already in the landing, the automatic takes the airplane very close to the lane, but the control returns to the manual immediately before the airplane touches the ground.

It's good to remember that autopilot is just one of many systems that help guide the plane. It is part of the automatic control , which also includes stabilizing software or a system that "filters" the actions of the pilot, making them softer.