Autopilot engagement on takeoff should occur after at least what altitude?

• A. 600' AGL
• B. 400' AGL
• C. 200' AGL
• D. 1000' AGL

Answer: (B)

Engaging autopilot on takeoff is about timing the handover from manual control to automated flight at a point where the aircraft is in a stable, predictable climb. By setting the minimum at 400 feet AGL, you give the airplane enough height to establish a safe climb path, verify configuration (like flaps, gear, and thrust settings), and let the autopilot capture the flight path without fighting through the most dynamic part of liftoff. Engaging too early, around 200 feet AGL, leaves little margin for correction if there are gusts, trim changes, or unexpected attitude changes as the aircraft transitions from takeoff to climb. Waiting until 600 feet or higher increases pilot workload and delays the automation’s benefits during this critical phase. So, 400 feet AGL is the appropriate minimum to enable autopilot engagement on takeoff.