The autopilot's main job on the Skywest ERJ is to assist with altitude, heading, and speed control

Outline (skeleton)

• Hook: Autopilot isn’t a magic wand; it’s a trusted co-pilot on a SkyWest ERJ.

• Core idea: The primary use of autopilot is to assist in altitude, heading, and speed control. A concise explanation plus a quick sense of how it fits into daily flight.

• What autopilot does (in practice): how it works with flight directors, FD/FBW, LNAV/VNAV, autothrust, and how crews use it across climb, cruise, descent, and approach.

• What autopilot doesn’t do: it doesn’t manage landing gear, fuel monitoring, or passenger communications; those are separate systems or manual tasks.

• Human factors: why pilots rely on autopilot but stay hands-on, the importance of monitoring, when to disengage, and how backups keep flights safe.

• Real-world flavor: analogies, a few tangents about weather, fatigue, and the rhythm of a long flight.

• Quick glossary bullets: a handful of key terms in plain language.

• Closing thought: mastery means knowing when to let the autopilot guide and when to take control.

Autopilot isn’t a magic wand—it’s a trusted co-pilot on a SkyWest ERJ

Let me explain it in simple terms. The primary use of autopilot during flight is to assist in altitude, heading, and speed control. It’s not nameless magic; it’s a sophisticated system that works with the airplane’s flight management computer and the flight director to hold a precise path. On a SkyWest ERJ, that means you can climb to your assigned altitude, fly a precise course to a waypoint, and keep a steady speed without constantly tweaking the controls. It’s a partnership: you set the plan, and autopilot helps you follow it smoothly.

What autopilot does, day in and day out

Think of autopilot as a reliable teammate who can manage the heavy lifting when the sky is calm and the route is straightforward. Here’s how that usually plays out in the ERJ world:

• Altitude control: You preselect an altitude and the autopilot holds it. If you need to climb or descend, the system tracks the vertical profile you’ve set, using the autothrottle to respect speed limits while the climb or descent unfolds. It’s a steady, almost musical cadence—pressurization, cabin altitude, air flow—all kept neatly in check behind the scenes.

• Heading and course management: When you dial in a heading or select a course, the autopilot follows, keeping you aligned with the route. The combination of heading hold and nav capture (that’s the moment the aircraft starts following the navigation data from the FMC) makes long legs feel almost routine.

• Speed control: Autothrust (the “auto-throttle”) works hand in hand with the autopilot to maintain selected speeds. You decide the target airspeed, and the system modulates engine power and flight surfaces to stay there. It’s especially helpful in cruise, where you want a stable, efficient flight path without micromanaging.

All of this is made smoother by the Flight Director (FD) and the Flight Management System (FMS). The FD provides guidance cues on the cockpit displays—basically a set of visual instructions for where to fly. The autopilot then acts on those cues to keep the airplane aligned with the plan. It’s the modern equivalent of having a navigator who can drive the course while you monitor the big picture.

During a typical flight on a SkyWest ERJ, you’ll see the autopilot engaged in cruise for most of the journey. If weather or air traffic requires a change, you might reprogram the FMS or adjust your altitude with a quick flip of a switch. The autopilot will then carry out the updated plan, and you’ll keep an eye on the overall trajectory. The aim is not to remove engagement but to reduce workload so you can focus on the bigger picture—situational awareness, safe operation, and efficient fuel use.

What autopilot does not do (and why that matters)

Here’s a small but important distinction to keep clear. Autopilot primarily manages flight path—altitude, heading, and speed. It does not control everything else in the cockpit:

• Landing gear: Deploying or retracting the landing gear is a separate system action, triggered by crew calls or specific flight phase cues. The autopilot isn’t in charge of the hardware decisions that keep wheels ready for touchdown.

• Fuel monitoring: While the airplane’s systems keep an eye on fuel state, autopilot doesn’t calculate fuel strategy by itself. That’s the realm of the flight team and the FMC’s optimization logic, guided by weight, balance, and planned reserves.

• Passenger communications: Cabin announcements and passenger management live in a different lane—whether it’s the cabin crew or automated messaging. The autopilot’s lane is the flight path and control surfaces, not the loudspeaker.

In short: autopilot helps you fly, but it doesn’t replace the seasoned judgment and coordination that keep a flight smooth and safe. That balance—automation with practical oversight—is the heart of flying modern jets.

A peek into how pilots actually use autopilot on ERJ routes

Let’s bring this to life with a quick, real-world feel. On many legs, you’ll engage the autopilot soon after takeoff, then let it stabilize the climb to the assigned altitude. With a clean, stable flight path established, you’ll monitor the autopilot’s performance, keep an eye on weather updates, and confirm that the FMC’s navigation data lines up with the charted route.

• Climb and cruise: In climb, the autopilot manages the elevation push toward the target altitude. The crew monitors for vertical speed changes and ensures the climb rate remains smooth. In cruise, autothrust keeps speed steady and the autopilot maintains the course. It’s a quiet partnership—one that can feel almost intuitive after you’ve learned the rhythm.

• Descent and approach: When it’s time to descend, the autopilot can follow a preselected vertical profile, and the flight crew coordinates with ATC to adjust altitude steps. If weather requires a slower, more precise descent, the autopilot will adapt, but the pilots stay ready to intervene. On the approach, navigation modes like LNAV (lateral navigation) and VNAV (vertical navigation) help you transition to the runway with confidence. The autopilot assists, but you’re the captain of the overall flow.

• Re-engaging and disengaging: There are moments when a pilot may disengage the autopilot—for example, when the situation demands direct hands-on control, or during a procedure that calls for manual handling. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of readiness. Then, after a hand-off or after weather passes, you can re-engage and let the system return to guiding the path.

Human factors: trust, vigilance, and the human-in-the-loop

Automation is a powerful ally, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for human skills. The best crews maintain a healthy respect for automation while staying engaged:

• Vigilance is the watchword: It’s easy to drift into a “set it and forget it” mindset, especially on long, stable segments. But a quick scan of instruments, altitude calls, and nav cues keeps the flight on a safe track.

• Manual flight skills stay sharp: Even if the autopilot handles the path, pilots must be ready to fly manually at a moment’s notice. Quick hand-to-stick transitions, precise pitch and bank control, and a clear sense of timing matter.

• Backup minds and systems: If a sensor or computer hiccups, the crew swaps to backup modes. The ERJ cockpit is designed for that kind of resilience—redundant systems, clear procedures, and hands-on readiness.

A few friendly reminders you’ll hear in the lounge of cockpit wisdom

• When to expect a disengage: If you notice a mismatch between the flight director cues and what the airplane actually does, you’ll likely disengage and take the controls. It’s a brief moment of hands-on confidence to confirm the system is aligned with the plan.

• Watch the data, not just the dials: The autopilot is data-driven. Constant cross-checks between the FMC, sensors, and navigation displays keep you from riding a curve you didn’t mean to take.

• Don’t underestimate weather: Even with autopilot, everything depends on weather awareness. Turbulence, wind shear, or unexpected headwinds can test the limits of the automation and require a careful, human touch.

Glossary in plain language (quick reference)

• AP (Autopilot): The “co-pilot” familiar with altitude, heading, and speed control.

• FD (Flight Director): The visual guide on your displays that shows where to fly.

• FMC (Flight Management Computer): The brain behind navigation and route optimization.

• LNAV/VNAV: Modes that help with horizontal and vertical navigation, guiding you along a planned path and altitude.

• Altitude hold / ALT HLD: Keeps the airplane at a chosen altitude.

• Autothrust: Manages engine power to maintain target airspeed.

• NAV: Navigation mode that follows the programmed route.

A final thought: flying as a dance between human skill and machine precision

Autopilot is neither a shortcut nor a crutch. It’s a well-engineered partner that smooths the ride, conserves energy, and reduces fatigue on long legs. For SkyWest ERJ crews, the cockpit rhythm often feels like a well-rehearsed duet: the automation handles the course, the crew watches the horizon, and together you deliver a steady, safe journey for everyone on board.

If you’re new to the cockpit, you might picture autopilot as a steady hand that never tires. That’s not quite accurate. It’s more like a trusted partner who does the heavy lifting while you keep your eyes up, your mind clear, and your hands ready. The result is not only a safer flight but a more comfortable one, letting pilots focus on the big picture—careful planning, smart decision-making, and the occasional, well-timed adjustment when the weather or traffic decides to throw a curveball.

So next time you hear the autopilot engage, picture the quiet collaboration that makes modern flight possible: a blend of precise calculations, clean data, and human judgment joining forces to keep the skies orderly and safe. It’s one of those hidden strengths of aviation—where automation and expertise meet to create a smoother, safer ride for everyone on board.