Originally Posted by
Generic Pilot
Not familiar, are they doing the same?
Are those the guys using the "Optionally Piloted" Caravans in Iraq?
Wonder if they are involved in a civilian program.
The cooperation with the feds and cargo companies is shockingly efficient. It really caught me off guard on the progress and time table. They (the transport companies) are probably trying to establish a toe hold before any pushback can get organized.
I'm still guessing on 1 year for localized operations and 3 years to widespread deployment within the USA. The people with the money (the REAL money) seem to believe in this project.
It really doesn't effect the pax ops yet, but those planning to build time in a 135 cargo outfit might be in for a surprise.
No, they are doing tests in the Caribbean.
Like you said I agree the lower end will be hit first. Small 135 ops like Mountain Air, Keylime, and Ameriflight will go autonomous first. Hopefully it will stop there for a while.
The writing is definitely on the wall.
It does open up some interesting possibilities as far as business development goes though. Lots of small cities and towns in the Midwest and west that are pretty remote that can reconnect to our new economy via cheap electric cargo aircraft.
Ultimately, I'd like to be the guy working on this stuff vs sitting by and waiting for my job to disappear IMO.