Aircraft autopilots are incredible tools, but only when pilots truly understand how to use them. On Day 15 of the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge 2026, Martin focuses on one of the most common modern flight deck risks: confusion, overreliance, and misuse of autopilot systems. From general aviation aircraft to high-performance jets, accident history proves the same lesson again and again; autopilot is meant to assist pilots, not replace sound decision-making or basic flying skills.
Autopilot is a Tool, Not a Pilot Replacement
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is very clear: an autopilot is flight deck automation, not a substitute for a pilot. Yet, multiple high-profile accidents, from a Citation crash in Erie to a jet accident on short final in San Francisco, have shown how quickly things can go wrong when crews don’t fully understand what the autopilot is doing.
In each case, the issue wasn’t equipment failure. It was mode confusion. Autopilots are designed to reduce workload, but when pilots lose situational awareness, automation can actually increase confusion instead of preventing it.
Know Your Modes Before You Use Them
Every safe autopilot user understands the available modes and how they engage and disengage. Heading mode, navigation mode, altitude hold, vertical speed, and approach mode all behave differently, and assuming instead of verifying can be dangerous.
A safe pilot always ensures the selected mode matches the desired outcome. Before and after pressing any button, the question should be automation: what is the autopilot doing right now? If the answer isn’t immediately clear, that’s a cue to disconnect and hand-fly.
Avoid Over Reliance and Skill Degradation
Autopilots are excellent during long legs, IMC, or high-workload phases of flight, but they should never be used to mask weak stick-and-rudder-skills. The FAA has repeatedly warned that excessive automation use can degrade hand-flying proficiency and decision-making ability.
That’s why confident pilots intentionally hand-fly approaches, practice missed approaches without automation, and stay sharp even in technically advanced aircraft. A truly safe pilot is just as capable with the autopilot off as with it on.
Use Automation to Reduce Workload – Not Thinking
The most effective autopilot users are the ones who don’t need it. They choose to use it strategically, at appropriate times, and always remain mentally ahead of the airplane. If the automation isn’t doing exactly what the pilot wants, it gets disconnected, no hesitation, no second-guessing.
Automation should support good aeronautical decision-making, never replace it. The moment it adds confusion, it’s no longer serving its purpose.
Safer Pilot Challenge 2026
The Safer Pilot Challenge is our yearly vow to help you become a smarter, safer pilot, and it runs all month long every January, wrapping up with our big livestream finale on January 31! We’re giving away prizes throughout the month, so be sure to watch each YouTube video and leave the specific comment to enter for a chance to win. Are you committing to 31 for 31 days of the Safer Pilot Challenge? If you love our free content, just imagine what our full courses can do for you. We’d love to welcome you into our ground schools! Start today with a free 2-week trial and see if MzeroA is the right fit for your aviation journey!