Originally Posted by
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You don't need a new airframe to integrate an AI like autopilot.
Just think of a typical takeoff. After rotation we must raise the gear and flaps. Why? Why isn't that automated? Or on landing, it can easily be automated as well. "Drop gear at xxxx altitude". Requested airspeed is xxx, place flaps at x. Etc.
ATC tells us what altitude to climb to, they tell us the route. There is no reason you couldn't integrate a higher level autopilot to completely take over operating the aircraft. The pilot would be there to deviate around weather and make command decisions and taxi.
In an emergency, say an engine out, the advanced autopilot would know the runway and location and execute perfect E/O procedures. It could also simultaneously detect a fire and put it out. All while you watch.
Have you used the newer drone software available today? You tell it where you want to go and it handles the rest. I envision that will be what aviation is like in the next generation. You are there to monitor.
I personally don't see aircraft operated from the ground at this point. But a reduction in pilots required? Sure.
Once again, we have someone on here who is confusing the technological ability to automate existing aircraft (which we obviously have) with the practical ability to make it happen in the current industry/regulatory/ATC environment.
Reducing pilots from two to one really means fully automated aircraft to account for the possibility the one pilot becomes incapacitated. So that basically means aircraft operated from the ground (which you just said you don't see).
How do you automate out potential human errors in procedures or mis-heard clearances that are currently caught by the other pilot. Until we go to ATC that doesn't rely on spoken VHF comm, it's a huge reduction in safety to expect one pilot to operate in our busiest airports.
Those are just a couple of major roadblocks in a very long list. Meanwhile, Boeing and Airbus are pumping out brand new 777F, 787s, 737s, A530s, etc. with expected lifespans of decades that still need two pilots. Those companies aren't going to spend significant dollars to do much of anything until airlines and cargo companies are ready to buy. That's certainly not going to happen until there are major changes to the industry infrastructure. And all that just to take one pilot out of the aircraft and replace him with one on the ground? Frankly, we don't get paid that much. I seriously doubt anyone posting here will see a practical, production or modified single pilot 121 aircraft in revenue service before they are required to retire (at 65).