Originally Posted by
BKbigfish
We will have single pilot cargo ops within 15-20 years if not sooner. My money is on 10-15 years. Single pilot passenger ops will come 10-15 years after the cargo carriers. Single pilot assisted by remote pilot on the ground. The pilot is there to override in case of emergency, computer hack, or loss of contact with ground station. Don’t kid yourselves... it’s coming. And a lot sooner than everybody thinks. I hope I’m wrong.
Personally, I don't feel like single-piloted will be a big benefit to cargo/pax operators. How many times have you reported for an all-nighter feeling less than 100%? How many times have you pressed on at the end of a long duty day just because you figured 50%+50%= 100% of one pilot? I could count at least 3 duty periods this month I would have said uncle if I'd been forced to go it alone.
I think the restrictions on duty day and irregular ops would not make sense single-piloted. Until UAV's are proven with cargo ops, I think passenger pilots will be safe.