Originally Posted by
rickair7777
That kind of stuff is no-brainer easy and has been technically feasible since the 1960's or so (but the computers would have been heavy back then).
It's great as a last-ditch save for single-pilot GA aircraft which would otherwise crash if the pilot is incap. It in no way comes anywhere near the current safety standards for airliners.
No, it has not been possible to push a button and have an aircraft obtain weather for all available airports within calculated range, assess terrain based on position, pull from an electronic database of approaches, execute them, communicate intentions over 121.50 via voice, land, come to a stop, shut off the engine, and open the doors since the 60's.
I do agree that if that is their plan for single pilot ops I doubt the administrators will approve it but it's interesting nonetheless. But Boeing and Airbus have publicly stayed they will be ready for single pilot in 3-4 years. Maybe they plan to use datalink services...I dunno.
Before the MAX issue they trusted pilots...they have had a complete revision in thinking afterwards. Remember they had said the 797 would be two pilot. Now the opposite. They have completely shifted their mentality towards operating aircraft from "pilot first" to "pilot optional". I think they saw just how bad the pilots screwed up (leaving thrust set at t/o while exceeding Vmo) and finally realized the Airbus way is better and safer.
Perusing through Aviation Herald you see lots of incidents that are caused by human error that don't result in fatalities (but could have). I would think over time they will take steps to increase automation to slowly trap all those errors.