DRONE TOOLS Safely using autonomous flight modes

In the early days of aviation, as aircraft range and endurance increased, so did the fatigue experienced by pilots. Autopilots were invented in 1912, guiding aircraft to fly straight and level on a compass course and greatly reducing a pilot’s workload. For more than a century, autopilots have improved many aspects of aviation safety, but they have also created new problems.

- Gus Calderon

Autopilots, formally known as “flightcontrol systems” and casually called “George,” greatly increase the complexity of aircraft operations. Autopilot designs can differ by manufacturer, and pilots must become familiar with the specific details of each system. A correctly programmed autopilot on a drone reduces the pilot’s workload, allowing the pilot to monitor the flight path and operate the camera. Autopilots have many limitations, however, and the pilot must understand those limitations before flying on auto. Pilots who fly their drones using autonomous modes must understand how the programming works before giving up control to “George.” They must also be ready to immediately regain manual flight control in case of a programming failure. Autopilots on drones, combined with obstacle-avoidance technology, are so advanced that pilots may become complacent. The overuse of an autopilot can lead to the loss of manual flying skills. The result may be a pilot’s inability to regain control once an autopilot is disconnected or its limits are exceeded.

WARNINGS AND LIMITATIONS