Autopilot

An automated flight control system. Basic single-axis autopilots just hold wings level. Two-axis units add pitch control, maintaining altitude or flying a set climb or descent. Modern digital autopilots like the Garmin GFC 500 can fly a fully coupled GPS or ILS approach from intercept all the way to minimums.

Knowing when to engage it, when to hand-fly, and how to use the freed-up attention wisely is something IFR examiners and airlines look at. Training in an autopilot-equipped aircraft gets you thinking about that from the start.