Originally Posted by
Ewfflyer
The only completely automatic trains I know of are at the airports for shuttle duty between the main terminal and the outlets. There aren't any freight/pax trucks/cars/planes that are full auto etc.... There has to be human over-sight, for the reasons you stated above. Could it be single-pilot large transport aircraft, I believe so, but it'll be awhile. Plus the general public wouldn't stand for less than 2 pilots up front for a long long time.
While the technology exists to operate unmanned transport category aircraft, it is very unlikely that this concept will be used in the civilian sector anytime soon. The main barriers will be the general public’s perception of safety and the exposure to liability that such an operation will create.
As you pointed out earlier, a computer can be programed to respond to certain inputs but in the framework of the dynamics of flying, judgement cannot be programed. The human element is still necessary to safely operate airliners.
Flying unmanned jetliners will require a totally redesigned air traffic system, including navigation, radar, and physical facilities. Although possible, it is highly improbable that unmanned passenger airplanes will be part of aviation’s architecture in any of our lifetimes.
P