5.3 Autopilot, Autothrottle & Automation (incl. ESP)

DRAFT lesson page — content pending POH verification and video production.

Learning Objectives

• Describe autopilot modes and coupled approaches
• Describe the autothrottle and how it manages thrust by phase
• Explain ESP (Electronic Stability & Protection)
• Recognize automation failures and hand-fly the airplane

In This Lesson

• Automation is what makes a single-pilot jet manageable
• Autopilot modes; fully coupled ILS / RNAV approaches
• The autothrottle sets and holds thrust by phase (animated — in flight)
• ESP resists over-bank and over-pitch, nudging back toward the envelope
• Automation failure / disconnect — recognize, disconnect, hand-fly
• Automation is a crewmember you supervise

Video

In production — original autothrottle, coupled-approach, and ESP animations + Austin autopilot-panel footage + AI voiceover.

Knowledge Check

• The autothrottle manages thrust by phase of flight
• ESP resists exceeding pitch and bank limits
• A coupled approach means the autopilot flies it
• On automation failure, disconnect and hand-fly
• Automation mode limits ‹VERIFY POH›