automatic pilot
Hands-free flight control
Automatic pilot is a system that steers aircraft, ships, or other vehicles without continuous human control, maintaining a set course or altitude.
The figurative sense describes acting mechanically without conscious thought: I was so tired I drove home on automatic pilot.
Also called autopilot.
Settled regular tendency
- second-natureAcquired behavior feeling innate
- muscle memoryAutomatic physical skill retention
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
repetition · groove · rhythm · drill · going through the motions · daily grind · cruise control · rote
Pilot's control compartment
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- navigationDetermining position and course
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- altimeterInstrument measuring elevation
airspeed · gyroscope · avionics · instrumentation · flightpath · airspace · control panel · heading
Losing conscious attention temporarily
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- inattentionLack of focus
- absentmindednessLack of attention to surroundings
unconscious · daze · checked out · sleepwalking · spaced out · tuned out · vacant · glazed
Feedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- control systemMechanism that regulates behavior
- sensorInput-detecting device
- actuatorDevice producing controlled motion
gyroscope · microprocessor · algorithm · computerized · circuitry · calibration · stabilization · guidance system
habit
Settled regular tendency
- second-natureAcquired behavior feeling innate
- muscle memoryAutomatic physical skill retention
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
pattern · repetition · groove · rhythm · drill · going through the motions · daily grind · cruise control · rote · ingrained
cockpit
Pilot's control compartment
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- navigationDetermining position and course
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
altimeter · airspeed · gyroscope · avionics · instrumentation · flightpath · airspace · control panel · heading · altitude
zoning out
Losing conscious attention temporarily
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- inattentionLack of focus
absentmindedness · unconscious · daze · checked out · sleepwalking · spaced out · tuned out · vacant · glazed · running on empty
servomechanism
Feedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- control systemMechanism that regulates behavior
- sensorInput-detecting device
actuator · gyroscope · microprocessor · algorithm · computerized · circuitry · calibration · stabilization · guidance system · self-correcting
automatic pilotmindfulness
Awareness of the present
full attention · presence of mind · hands-on approach · alertness · vigilance
pilot, auto, automatic, piloting, piloted, automation, automated, automatically, automate