The Sperry Corporation created the first airplane autopilot in 1912. The autopilot was linked to hydraulically operated elevators and rudders through a gyroscopic heading indicator and attitude indicator. Because of its increased stability, autopilot offers several advantages, including minimizing pilot fatigue, particularly on long-haul flights, and aiding an aircraft in flying successfully and smoothly in bad weather. It is critical in the event of an engine failure.
US Patent Number: 1,415,003
Invention: Automatic Pilot for Aeroplanes
Inventor: L. B. Sperry
Year: 1922
Material: Ink on Japanese museum-quality archival paper. Thickness of paper: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm). Weight of paper: 5.57 oz/yd² (189 g/m²)
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