pilotless
Lacking human operator
Pilotless describes aircraft or vessels operating without a human pilot aboard: pilotless drones, pilotless aircraft.
The term predates more recent alternatives like "unmanned" or "autonomous," and appears most often in military and aviation contexts: The pilotless plane crashed in the desert.
Having no human aboard
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- UAVCrewless aircraft
- quadcopterFour-rotor aerial vehicle
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
surveillance · reconnaissance · hover · propeller · airspace · altitude · flight · aviation
Operating without human control
- navigationDetermining position and course
- sensorInput-detecting device
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
adaptive · real-time · onboard · fail-safe · redundancy
unmanned
Having no human aboard
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- UAVCrewless aircraft
- quadcopterFour-rotor aerial vehicle
aerial · surveillance · reconnaissance · hover · propeller · airspace · altitude · flight · aviation · military
automated
Operating without human control
- navigationDetermining position and course
- sensorInput-detecting device
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
guidance · adaptive · real-time · onboard · fail-safe · redundancy
operator
One who works machinery
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
- transmitterSignal-emitting device
- signalMessage-conveying cue
wireless · joystick · controller · command · link · frequency · range · interface · feedback · relay
cockpit
Pilot's control compartment
airliner · certification · FAA · regulations · safety · testing · prototype · Boeing · Airbus · commercial