EHEST Leaflet HE 9 Automation and Flight Path Management

This leaflet identifies current best practice on automation and flight path management. Over the years helicopter manufacturers have used more automation to assist crews and reduce manual flying workload. The rapid advances in technology have given rise to significant capabilities. Automation has contributed substantially to the sustained improvement of flight safety. Automation increases the timeliness and precision of routine procedures reducing the opportunity for errors and the associated risks to the safety of the flight.
The helicopter community has however experienced incidents and accidents where automation and complex flight displays have been significant factors.
This leaflet reviews the basics of automation and provides a list of principles for optimal use of automation and flight path management.