an automatic - piloting system configured for being set on a receiver aircraft and for controlling operations of in - flight refuelling of said receiver aircraft , comprising : first detection means , set on the receiver aircraft and configured for acquiring first geometrical information associated to a first detection area and a second detection area belonging to a tanker aircraft , the first and second detection areas being linked together by a geometrical relation known to the automatic - piloting system ; processing means , configured for determining , on the basis of the first geometrical information acquired , first position information associated to a relative position of the receiver aircraft with respect to the tanker aircraft ; and an automatic - pilot device coupled to the processing means and configured for varying flight parameters of the receiver aircraft on the basis of the first position information .