Reverse-Engineering Autopilot Behavior on the A340-200/300. The Anatomy of a Modern Autopilot

A rigorous and accurate method for reverse-engineering autopilot behavior from its description in the aircraft operational manual (FCOM) has been developed. The method has been applied to the A340-200/300 in the framework of a contract with Airbus Industrie whose goal was to study pilots’ knowledge of autopilot behavior.