Originally Posted by MedHawk

Forgive my ignorance, but don’t we still have train conductors?

Originally Posted by Av8tr1

Hey man, I'm just making a personal prediction. That's what I think Amazon is going for. I think its 10 years out. Could be longer or shorter. They have FAA approval to start deliveries with drones.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazo...194828578.html

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a certificate to Amazon Prime Air on Wednesday, allowing the company to operate its MK27 unmanned aircraft for package deliveries, the federal agency said in a statement.

On the same day, Amazon (AMZN) announced it will begin delivering packages to customers by drone “within months” at its artificial intelligence, robotics and space conference re:Mars in Las Vegas. Amazon’s certificate is valid for one year and is eligible for renewal, according to the FAA."

“We’ve been hard at work building fully electric drones that can fly up to 15 miles and deliver packages under five pounds to customers in less than 30 minutes. And, with the help of our world-class fulfillment and delivery network, we expect to scale Prime Air both quickly and efficiently, delivering packages via drone to customers within months,” Jeff Wilke, CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer, said on Wednesday.


So it's already happening. We can revisit this in 10 years and see who is right if you want. But they are already starting deliveries with drones. If it works I am sure they will be quick to start doing the same with trunk aircraft. The cost savings will be huge for them and they have a LOT of money to throw at the problem.

Originally Posted by Av8tr1

Sure, do. We also have MANY automated trains around the world. You probably rode one to work in the past few days. I did in Denver just a few days ago.

Originally Posted by flyguy23

What is already happening? Are you really comparing small drones delivering 5lbs packages to unmanned widebody freighters? Those aren't in the same universe. Between airplane technology, ATC technology, govt red tape and millions of other factors, we are a very long way from unmanned aircraft.

Originally Posted by dtwsaab

Automated airport shuttles have been around since the 80s. There was probably a dude just like yourself pointing to those and the VNAV in those newfangled MD-80s as proof that pilots will be gone no later than 1990!

Originally Posted by Av8tr1

LOL, dude, I don't really have a dog in this fight.

I can tell you I know of at least two companies who have been approved to start unmanned drone deliveries much larger than 5lbs. One has a Caravan size drone and is flying in Alaska. Check out Saberwing. I am friends some of their management. They are putting together a game changing system and they are already FAA approved.

We have military unmanned drones flying in US airspace every single day dealing with the antiquities of our current ATC system. The tech is already there and in use every single day. The "only" huddle is "govt red tape".

Its coming period dot. Could be next year, could be 10 years from now. But it's coming. You can believe it or not. I don't care what you believe. But the evidence is clear to me that it's not far off.

Originally Posted by ROBsINtheHOOD

Whoever thinks drones will proliferate to the point of mass usage do not understand meteorology , physics , probability , aviation , geography , engineering , the law , noise sensitivity , accident risk , oh ... and IFR. Dohhhhhh