In an autopilot, which signal will nullify the input signals to the ailerons?

In an autopilot, which signal will nullify the input signals to the ailerons?

• A. Feedback
• B. Bias
• C. Clipping
• D. Error

Answer: (A)

Negative feedback in a closed-loop autopilot is what cancels the commands sent to the ailerons. The system compares the desired attitude with what’s actually happening and generates an error signal. That error drives a corrective action through the actuator to reduce the difference. The feedback path brings the actual output back into the loop, opposing the input. When the aircraft achieves the commanded attitude, the error goes to zero and the autopilot’s corrective signal drops to zero as well, effectively canceling the input to the ailerons. In this way, the feedback signal is the mechanism that nullifies the control input when the desired state is reached.

Negative feedback in a closed-loop autopilot is what cancels the commands sent to the ailerons. The system compares the desired attitude with what’s actually happening and generates an error signal. That error drives a corrective action through the actuator to reduce the difference. The feedback path brings the actual output back into the loop, opposing the input. When the aircraft achieves the commanded attitude, the error goes to zero and the autopilot’s corrective signal drops to zero as well, effectively canceling the input to the ailerons. In this way, the feedback signal is the mechanism that nullifies the control input when the desired state is reached.