Originally Posted by
zmoney
Currently, certain operations require 3 or more crew members. I think the first place we see reduced-crew operations (eMCO) will be on those flights. Not sure exactly what that might look like. Perhaps an authorization for a single pilot on the flight deck while the other sleeps. To be sure, there are hurdles in the way of doing this. I think the biggest one is insurance risk. Next would be regulatory approval, though Airbus is greasing the wheels in Europe.
Airbus I think is already experimenting, with the aid of an overseas airline with a cooperative regulator.
But that's a very long ways away from true single pilot, the solution to pilot incap is wake up the other guy. They're just hoping like hell they don't have an incap associated with a time-critical emergency like a rapid depress.