They go by different nicknames-"George" and "Otto" probably are the most popular-and have become an integral part of even a basic IFR platform's standard equipment, especially when flown single-pilot. And because the latest high-tech versions on the market can do just about anything for you except eliminate a potty stop, they've proliferated throughout all segments of the general aviation fleet. "They," of course, are autopilots-electromechanical systems used to control an aircraft, and available in a wide variety of configurations and capabilities from simple wing-levelers to fullblown flight directors rivaling the modern transport jet you rode in last week.
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