George
nickname (informal)

- the automatic pilot in an aircraft

Collins Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The etymology of “George” is unclear: some claim it is a reference to inventor George De Beeson, who patented an autopilot in the 1930s. Others believe that Royal Air Force pilots coined the term during World War II to symbolize that their aircraft technically belonged to King George VI.

The "George De Beeson" theory seems more plausible, as there is more concrete evidence of his role in developing early autopilot systems, compared to the less substantiated WWII-era "King George" connection.

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UNDERSTANDING PILOT-SPEAK

- deadhead crew = off-duty pilots or flight crew who board a commercial flight as passengers to fly back to the plane’s home base.

- jumpseat = an extra fold-up seat in the cockpit — most jumpseats are reserved for FAA inspectors or off-duty flight personnel (deadheads) travelling back to their home base.

- George = a nickname for a plane’s autopilot system that follows a programmed set of points to the flight’s destination, taking into consideration changes in turbulence and altitude — pilots typically deploy George to command the plane when it reaches cruising altitude.

- air-pocket = wind that jostles a plane from different directions — the term air-pocket is preferred as it causes less anxiety than “turbulence” among passengers.

- “tree”, “fife”, and “niner” (the over-pronunciation of certain numbers makes them more distinguishable), “tree” = three, “fife” = five, and “niner” = nine.

- “Copy that" = acknowledges that the speaker has heard and understood the previous statement or instruction — it simply indicates that the message has been received and comprehended.

- “Roger (that)” = signifies not just the receipt of a message, but also the intent to take action based on the information received.

- severe clear = an intensely blue, cloudless sky with unimpeded visibility, often occurring after a storm — such weather is considered ideal for flying.

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SYNONYMS

for “automatic”

all by itself, autonomous, calling its own shots, deciding for itself, free from control (outside influence), go-it-alone, having a mind of its own (nobody to answer to), independent, in the driver's seat, independent, making its own calls (choices, decisions, way), master of its destiny (fate), self-governing (reliant), sovereign, steering its own course, walking alone (by oneself)

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation, say something like:

“With AI developing at its current rate, I wonder how soon GEORGE will be capable of intelligent, cockpit and passenger conversation.”

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