Patent attributes
An autopilot device for attaching to and exerting forces upon a control wheel of an aircraft includes an actuator fixed with a base, the actuator adapted to move a weight between a left-most position, a center position, and a right-most position. When the weight is in the center position, the base has a center-of-gravity vertically aligned with the rotational axis of the control wheel. When the weight is left or right of the center position, the weight causes a left or right rotational moment on the control wheel, respectively. A controller is connected with the actuator and a power source and is adapted to detect flight parameters including an aircraft orientation, an aircraft heading, and a desired flight path. The controller applies power from the power source to the actuator to move the actuator and weight, thereby causing the aircraft to intercept and track the desired flight path.
