Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Your autopilot can track a course and hold altitude all day… but in most single-engine pistons, it won’t keep you coordinated.
The typical GA autopilot only controls pitch and roll. When it commands a roll input, you still get adverse yaw — and unless you’ve got a yaw damper onboard, nobody’s pressing the rudder pedals for you. If the ball’s out, that’s on the pilot.
Uncoordinated flight isn’t just sloppy. It adds drag, costs performance, and in IMC it chips away at precision. Automation lowers workload, but it doesn’t replace basic stick-and-rudder fundamentals.
Even when George is flying, your feet should still be in the game.#finerpoints #airmanship #instrumentflying #autopilot #cfi #flybetter
Your autopilot can track a course and hold altitude all day… but in most single-engine pistons, it won’t keep you coordinated.
The typical GA autopilot only controls pitch and roll. When it commands a roll input, you still get adverse yaw — and unless you’ve got a yaw damper onboard, nobody’s pressing the rudder pedals for you. If the ball’s out, that’s on the pilot.
Uncoordinated flight isn’t just sloppy. It adds drag, costs performance, and in IMC it chips away at precision. Automation lowers workload, but it doesn’t replace basic stick-and-rudder fundamentals.
Even when George is flying, your feet should still be in the game.#finerpoints #airmanship #instrumentflying #autopilot #cfi #flybetter
