Originally Posted by Name User

So your argument was that Boeing screwed up implementing MCAS. Which they did obviously.

But WHY was MCAS installed in the first place? Because humans stall airplanes...

We are obviously nowhere near aircraft thinking for themselves and making decisions. That is Skynet stuff. But cockpits in use today have been designed for human input - flap levers, gear handles, switch lights and push buttons.

No, I don't think the entire worldwide fleet will be gone in five years. But Airbus has stated they already have the tech and equipment now. The only thing holding them back are regulators.

Unfortunately for us flying an airplane is no longer the domain of skilled aviators. With the adaption of computer assisted controls and limits, manufacturers can make "flying" a plane as simple as pressing a button to takeoff, and one to land.

What remains is how well it can improvise in the advent of an emergency or failure. Which do happen on occasion. I think there will be seemingly little progress on single pilot and then bam out of nowhere we'll see it hit.

Countries that are more open to this stuff are already gearing up to use Cessna Caravan sized drones to operate cargo flights. Completely autonomously.