flight management system

flight management system (FMS)

A computer system that forms an integrated, full-flight communications and information management system that provides automatic navigation, guidance, communications, and fuel management computation. The system aids crews by automating many routine tasks and manual computations and by providing them with useful information on managing a flight path from origin to destination. In flight, the pilot can couple the flight management system with an autopilot that allows the system to fly the aircraft and provide guidance via integrated roll-and-pitch commands. The system's position accuracy is constantly updated using conventional navigation aids. The system ensures that the most appropriate aids are selected automatically during the information-update cycle. Data are entered into the system using an alphanumeric keypad, and they are displayed on a cockpit-display unit. See also flight management computer.