Originally Posted by
Stets656
Will computers replace pilots in the next 30 years? Or will single pilot cockpits become a thing? Just wondering.
They've been success in remotely flying large commercial aircraft, (for T&E purposes), for a few decades now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y33N0raKZBo
When you look at reliability of a UAS and you remove the human error, (and tighten up the operational parameters), the UAV programs are pretty reliable vs. traditional manned flt. I believe that the main reason that there is push-back is that the FAA is still afraid of gravity vs. a UAS during an uncontrollable mishap.
IMHO if you restrict a UAS to certain Airways in unpopulated/less populated areas you'll limit the FAA's concerns of (if and when) an unrecoverable mishap occurs the A/C is returning uncontrolled in an mostly unpredictable location.
Most of the mishaps that I have seen have been attributed to human error, (more frequently during the beginning of the UAS Programs), but UAS' safety has improved due to more flt time, policy reviews and the evolution of newer technologies.
It still makes me laugh when I see the UAS Crews still wearing Nomex flt suits in a secure environment.
But I guess either you can never be too prepared for a in-flight fire, or the UAS Crews just had a visit from the 0-4 Fire Marshal Bill Flt Safety Officer looking for fire hazards near the Ops Positions.
https://youtu.be/PlLPogmB8M8
Just a friendly jab at my friends who still play with video games ("using" the UAS) and do a pretty good job at it.