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What Is Autoland? Definition & Meaning in Aviation

Autoland is a system in which the aircraft’s autopilot lands the aircraft automatically, including the flare and rollout.

In plain language

It is used in very low visibility together with a suitable ILS. The crew monitors the system and can take over.

Example

In dense fog, an aircraft and crew approved for autoland may land where others must divert.

Why it matters

Autoland is what allows aircraft to land in near-zero visibility. It is only used with suitable runways and trained crews, and it is a key part of fog operations.

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