Originally Posted by
HuggyU2
Yes, let's not allow people to have a differing opinion. Did you read the 27 page section-by-section summary off of rules.house.gov? There are some really good things in there that I'd like to see get passed.
Here's the offending paragraph:
Section 744. Single-Piloted Commercial Cargo Aircraft. Establishes a research and development program in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft assisted with remote piloting and computer piloting. A report is due six months after enactment on the program and the results of a review of the program conducted by the FAA in consultation with NASA.
The ALPA call-to-action certainly makes it sound like the sky is falling.
Is anyone honestly concerned that the technology is there and the US Gov't will have 747's flying with one pilot by 2020? 2030?
One only needs to look at the gnashing of teeth over 3rd class medical reform, and the proposal to ride-share with airplanes to see that the FAA will not let this happen any time soon.
Let the gov't do all of the research they want: it will help to expose what the limitations are and why we aren't there in terms of safety and reliability.
Some of us will be here well beyond 2030 so yeah it matters. If it ever gains any traction half of us will be reduced to “remote pilot” probably making a third of the money a first officer makes. Some of us also have kids in Flight school and would like to see them have a full career in the cockpit and not get the axe in their mid 40s with a family to support. I don’t want my tax dollars funding any furtherance of pilotless technology. The airlines and manufactures already work hard enough to eliminate us. We don’t need to fund things that help their cause. And yes right now it will prove it cannot be done right now but the program is indefinite as in forever.
Sure the bill has so good items but none in my mind more important than this. Strike the paragraph and pass the bill. Done.