Definition
A method of developing exposed photographic film or paper in which the material is moved through a sequence of processing chemicals and a drying stage by mechanical means, without manual handling between steps. In aviation, the term is most commonly seen in connection with aerial photography film, nondestructive inspection (NDI) radiographic film, and similar imaging used in aircraft maintenance and inspection.
Plain English
A machine moves the film through the chemicals and drying on its own, instead of a person doing each step by hand.
Context Anchor
Seen in descriptions of air traffic control computer systems, flight plan handling, and radar or tracking information.
Derivation
Automatic comes from the Greek automatos, meaning 'self-acting' or 'moving by itself.' Processing here refers to the chemical steps used to develop film. Together the term simply means the developing steps happen on their own once the film is loaded.
Why Pilots Care
Frees attention for unexpected events and reduces overall mental workload during routine flight.
Analogy
Like an experienced driver shifting gears and steering on a familiar road while talking.
Intuition Check
Automatic processing does not mean the airplane is flying itself. Here, it means aviation information is being handled automatically by a computer system.
Example Sentence 1
The inspection lab uses automatic processing to develop the X-ray films taken during the wing spar inspection.
Example Sentence 2
Automatic processing let the student focus on traffic calls instead of basic control inputs.