At which AFCS level is Autopilot (attitude retention) engaged?

• A. Unstabilized
• B. Back-up SAS
• C. Digital SAS (autopilot on - trim motors off)
• D. Autopilot (attitude retention)

Answer: (D)

AFCS levels describe how much automation is doing the stabilizing and steering. Attitude retention means the autopilot actively holds the aircraft’s pitch and bank at the commanded values, rather than just stabilizing with input from the pilot. This is the level where the autopilot takes over to control the attitude itself, making it the most automatic mode described. Earlier levels provide stabilization without full attitude control, and Digital SAS has autopilot commands with trim motors off. So the level that corresponds to Autopilot (attitude retention) is the one where the autopilot is actively managing the aircraft’s attitude.