What is the main purpose of a flight management system (FMS)?

The main purpose of a flight management system (FMS) is to automate navigation, performance calculations, and flight management tasks. The FMS integrates various navigational data and controls to assist pilots in route planning and execution, making flying more efficient and reducing workload. By managing and calculating flight parameters, including fuel consumption, altitude, airspeed, and course, the FMS allows pilots to focus on other critical aspects of flying and enhances overall flight safety.

Using automation within the FMS leads to optimized performance and fuel efficiency, which are key components of modern aviation operations. Instead of manually performing each task, the FMS streamlines these processes, ensuring that the data is continuously updated and used to guide the aircraft on its flight path accurately.