Why The FAA Tells Airline Pilots To Keep Mentally Flying The Aircraft Even With Autopilot On

Even with autopilot engaged, the FAA tells airline pilots to keep “mentally flying the aircraft.” The guidance is laid out in Advisory Circular 120-71B, which aims to prevent crews from becoming passive monitors as automation reduces workload. Instead of relaxing, pilots are expected to anticipate each climb, turn, descent, and level-off, and to continuously cross-check instruments—altitude, airspeed, navigation, vertical path, and aircraft configuration—rather than assuming the flight management system will always follow the intended plan. The circular also stresses verifying after selections that the aircraft actually tracks the desired flight path.