What type of auto-pilot control system is...

🔍 Key Concepts

• Look at the blocks in figure B and note the labels like Integrator and Differentiator along with any basic error amplifier. • Recall what each type of control does: proportional (P) responds to present error, integral (I) to accumulated past error, and derivative (D) to rate of change of error. • Think about how many of these control actions are present in the diagram for figure B, not just which one is named.

💭 Think About

• Which blocks in figure B act on the heading error directly, which act on the accumulated (automatic permanent helm) error, and which act on the rate of change of course? • If a system diagram contains more than one type of control action (for example, both an integrator and a differentiator), what does that tell you about the overall type of control system? • Compare figure A (simpler system) with figure B. How has the control scheme been enhanced in B compared to A?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify whether there is a proportional path from heading error amplifier to rudder control. • Confirm whether an integrator block and a differentiator block are both present in figure B. • Decide if the presence of multiple control actions together indicates a single-type controller or a combined P–I–D type controller.

What type of auto-pilot control system is shown in figure "B" of the illustration? See illustration EL-0192.

proportional control

derivative control

integral control

combination proportional-integral-derivative control

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer