What is the recommended relationship between Autopilot and Flight Director when both are active?

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Multiple Choice

What is the recommended relationship between Autopilot and Flight Director when both are active?

When both are active, the Autopilot handles automatic flight path control, while the Flight Director provides guidance cues for steering that the Autopilot can follow. The Flight Director translates the desired path into visible cues (attitude commands and flight-path guidance) on the cockpit displays, but it does not move the controls by itself. The Autopilot uses those cues, along with its own mode logic (such as heading, navigation, approach, or vertical modes), to actually move the flight controls and fly the commanded path. If autothrottle is engaged, it can also manage airspeed to stay on the planned profile. Because this setup relies on coordinated systems, you must continuously monitor the flight path, mode status, and altitude/speed constraints and be ready to intervene if the path deviates or a disengagement is required.

When both are active, the Autopilot handles automatic flight path control, while the Flight Director provides guidance cues for steering that the Autopilot can follow. The Flight Director translates the desired path into visible cues (attitude commands and flight-path guidance) on the cockpit displays, but it does not move the controls by itself. The Autopilot uses those cues, along with its own mode logic (such as heading, navigation, approach, or vertical modes), to actually move the flight controls and fly the commanded path. If autothrottle is engaged, it can also manage airspeed to stay on the planned profile.

Because this setup relies on coordinated systems, you must continuously monitor the flight path, mode status, and altitude/speed constraints and be ready to intervene if the path deviates or a disengagement is required.

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