Definition
Automated data processing (ADP) is the use of computer systems to collect, store, sort, calculate, and distribute data with little or no manual intervention. In aviation contexts, ADP refers to the computerized handling of operational information such as flight plans, weather data, traffic counts, and air traffic services records.
Plain English
ADP means letting computers do the work of organizing and crunching information instead of people doing it by hand.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA acronym lists, airport information systems, and administrative or notice-related material where aviation information is handled electronically.
Derivation
‘Automated’ comes from the Greek automatos, meaning ‘acting of itself.’ ‘Data’ is Latin for ‘things given,’ meaning pieces of information. ‘Processing’ means working through something step by step. Together: information worked through by a system that runs itself.
Why Pilots Care
If a document refers to ADP, the pilot should understand that the subject is information handling by computer systems, not aircraft control or a flying technique.
Intuition Check
ADP does not mean the airplane is flying itself. It means aviation information is being handled by computer systems.
Example Sentence 1
Flight plan information is moved between facilities through automated data processing rather than being phoned in.
Example Sentence 2
Modern aircraft systems use ADP for real-time monitoring of engine performance data.