What is the role of the autopilot/flight director in ATR flight?

• A. Provide manual control only.
• B. Disengage automatically whenever you touch the controls.
• C. Provide automated flight guidance and reduce workload during certain phases; can be disengaged when manual control is required.
• D. Only manage navigation but not guidance.

Answer: (C)

The autopilot/flight director provides automated flight guidance to follow a programmed flight path and helps reduce pilot workload during phases like climb, cruise, descent, and approach. The flight director presents guidance cues to the pilot, while the autopilot executes those cues, keeping the aircraft on the desired lateral and vertical path. This system can be left operating during portions of flight to relieve workload, but it can be disengaged whenever manual control is required—for example, during takeoff, landing, or if the pilot chooses to hand-fly. It’s not limited to navigation alone; it actively manages guidance and control to follow the planned route and constraints.