There are 2 research initiatives currently funded. NASA- Ames is pursuing the 1 pilot program as described. Duke University/MIT Human Performance Lab is pursuing a pilotless initiative. Don't shoot the messenger on this. UPS has already filed a petition to operate a Pilotless 767 and are actively working with Duke's HPL. Sounds crazy but they anticipate a working model in less than 18 months (contract specification). It's gonning to happen quicker rather than later and most probably with Cargo in the 5-10 year time frame. Flying a reduced pilot or pilotless plane with passengers has serious political and cultural obstacles, but there is a ton of money being spent. And to make things worse is every time we have an incident where pilot error or lack of flight path monitoring is involved, it only strengthens the case.