An autopilot is a system used to control the trajectory of a vehicle without constant 'hands-on' control by a human operator being required. Autopilots do not replace a human operator, but assist them in controlling the vehicle, allowing them to focus on broader aspects of operation, such as monitoring the trajectory, weather and systems. Autopilots are used in aircraft, boats (known as self-steering gear), spacecraft, missiles, and others. Autopilots have evolved significantly over time, from early autopilots that merely held an attitude to modern autopilots capable of performing automated landings under the supervision of a pilot.

The autopilot system on airplanes is sometimes colloquially referred to as "George".

First autopilots

In the early days of aviation, aircraft required the continuous attention of a pilot in order to fly safely. As aircraft range increased allowing flights of many hours, the constant attention led to serious fatigue. An autopilot is designed to perform some of the tasks of the pilot.

Mark Anderson may refer to:

Rear Admiral Mark Anderson CB is a former Royal Navy officer who served as Commander Operations and Rear Admiral, Submarines.

Naval career

Educated at the University of Manchester, Anderson joined the Royal Navy in 1974 and was appointed commanding officer of the submarine HMS Talent in 1993. He became Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Logistics in May 2000, Commanding Officer of the frigate HMS Marlborough as well as Captain of the 4th Frigate Squadron in August 2002 and Director Equipment Capability (Underwater Effects) in March 2003 before moving on to become the Chief of the Defence Staff's Liaison Officer to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee in July 2007 and Commander Operations and Rear Admiral, Submarines in January 2009. He retired from the Royal Navy in March 2011.

In retirement he became Strategy Director of Sonar & Undersea Systems and then Group Marketing Director at Ultra Electronics.

References

Mark Anderson (born 16 November 1991) is a male Belizean sprinter. He competed in the Men's 100 metres event at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing, China.

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