I agree. Tragedy. Additionally it’s being tested by private companies all the time like self driving cars. They aren’t allowed to integrate without controlled environments, safety pilots, and in non commercial environments. Let them try. Don’t let the tax payer subsidize what we know is not about improving safety. That’s what DARPA is for. Public-private partnership in these matters won’t change the reality of the intent. If The military needs to out of its own necessity, then fine. We know they won’t put the public in danger. The safety threshold is not even in the same galaxy. If it actually becomes the greatest thing since sliced bread, then it will become known.

If you read the self driving promises of years and decades past, more than mere hope, you’ll see it was all about getting people to dump money into their brand. Most importantly it was about pushing through public acceptance before the tech existed so they wouldn’t need to deal with that peskiness when it may be mass produced. I’m also not willing to aid in that public acceptance because it isn’t warranted. The tech companies don’t deserve the assurance the consumer and the pilot will be psychologically ready for adoption. It’s their job to prove it and convince us afterwords.

The Air Force has awarded a contract to Silicon Valley firm Reliable Robotics to study the feasibility of flying its biggest iron autonomously. The company will look at whether it makes sense to fly multi-engine jet cargo planes from gate to gate with a remote pilot monitoring from the ground. For each end of the flight, the company is also looking at having the planes loaded and unloaded with robots, too. It’s also looking at making the technology available to commercial aviation. “Remotely piloted aircraft will enable the Air Force to increase mission tempo worldwide and leverage a certifiable commercial solution for defense industry needs at fractional costs and extend aircraft capabilities,” Reliable Robotics said in its Feb. 8 announcement.

The system will use “continuous autopilot engagement” for all phases of flight and all ground phases, too. “Higher precision navigation, sophisticated flight planning capabilities and more robust flight controls better manage aircraft and environmental conditions and improve safety with or without onboard crew,” the company said. The company has already gained certification basis for the system in a Cessna Caravan and says the general application of the technology will increase flight safety. “Once certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, Reliable’s system will reduce the occurrence of common causes of fatal aviation accidents, such as controlled flight into terrain and loss of control,” the company said.

Reliable Robotics, company says. Cool beans! We’ll see what the data reveals. ALL of the data. Not just the demo at the end.

Which airline is currently doing this?

Guilty as charged.. Raced skiffs as a kid. So much to learn. The art of flying is disappearing as a hands on skill for those joining the trade much quicker than any of us imagined even 10 years ago. Which is far more acceptance than criticism. We’re all counting on you, Pu$$ies:)