Which system is designed to keep an aircraft on a set course with no pilot input?

• A. Autopilot
• B. Attitude management
• C. ADS-B
• D. ADF

Answer: (A)

Autopilot automatically flies the airplane along a preselected course or flight path without the pilot actively steering. Once engaged and set in a navigation mode, it uses sensors and actuators to hold the desired heading or follow GPS/VOR/NDB guidance, correcting for wind and other factors, and can also maintain altitude or other parameters in respective modes. This capability is what lets the aircraft stay on a set course with no pilot input until you choose to disengage.

The other systems don’t perform this function: Attitude-related systems manage the aircraft’s orientation (pitch, bank, yaw) rather than its path, ADS-B provides surveillance and position information, and ADF is a navigation aid for locating a beacon.