An aircraft includes an autopilot system including one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, in response to selection of an autopilot activation button during flight of the aircraft while the aircraft is operating in a first condition, apply first control laws to automatically control the flight of the aircraft. The one or more processors are further configured to, in response to selection of the autopilot activation button while the aircraft is operating in a second condition, apply second control laws to automatically control the flight of the aircraft, where the second control laws are different from the first control laws.

A system and method for protecting a rotorcraft from entering a vortex ring state, the method including monitoring a vertical speed of a rotorcraft, comparing the vertical speed to a vertical speed safety threshold, and performing vortex ring state (VRS) avoidance in response to the vertical speed exceeding the vertical speed safety threshold. The performing the VRS avoidance includes determining a power margin available from one or more engines of the rotorcraft, limiting the vertical speed of the rotorcraft in response to the power margin exceeding a threshold, and increasing a forward airspeed of the rotorcraft in response to the power margin not exceeding the threshold.

A system and method for protecting a rotorcraft from entering a vortex ring state, the method including monitoring a vertical speed of a rotorcraft, comparing the vertical speed to a vertical speed safety threshold, and performing vortex ring state (VRS) avoidance in response to the vertical speed exceeding the vertical speed safety threshold. The performing the VRS avoidance includes determining a power margin available from one or more engines of the rotorcraft, limiting the vertical speed of the rotorcraft in response to the power margin exceeding a threshold, and increasing a forward airspeed of the rotorcraft in response to the power margin not exceeding the threshold.

An aircraft includes an autopilot system including one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, in response to selection of an autopilot activation button during flight of the aircraft while the aircraft is operating in a first condition, apply first control laws to automatically control the flight of the aircraft. The one or more processors are further configured to, in response to selection of the autopilot activation button while the aircraft is operating in a second condition, apply second control laws to automatically control the flight of the aircraft, where the second control laws are different from the first control laws.

A backup control server for reducing dangers to automation systems of autonomous vehicles includes a memory and a processor. The processor is programmed to detect an anomalous event which may include one of a geomagnetic interference event and a cyber-attack event. The processor may also be programmed to perform a threat assessment for the anomalous event relative to an automation system of a vehicle. The automation system may be configured to control an aspect of autonomous operation of the vehicle. The processor may be further programmed to determine one or more mitigating actions to perform on the automation system based upon the threat assessment. The one or more mitigating actions are configured to reduce a danger to the vehicle presented by the anomalous event. The processor may also be programmed to transmit to the vehicle instructions to perform one or more mitigating actions on the automation system.

A system and a method for detecting and protecting an aircraft against inappropriate piloting by a pilot potentially experiencing spatial disorientation related to a somatogravic illusion. The method includes: obtaining flight information and status information; estimating a current value of a perceived longitudinal attitude based on the flight information; computing a difference between the current value of the perceived longitudinal attitude and a current value of an actual longitudinal attitude; and then determining, when this deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined longitudinal attitude deviation threshold, whether a piloting action performed by the pilot is inappropriate based on the status information of the aircraft; and then activating, when the performed piloting action is inappropriate, a protective measure.