maxjet

Proposal Launched For Single-Pilot Airline Ops During Cruise Flight Phase

By
Mark Phelps
-
Published: February 7, 2023
6Photo: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsFlights involving large jets launching with just one pilot in the pointy end are not in the foreseeable future, but there may be some room for compromise. As reported today (Feb. 7) by Reuters, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will not accede to some industry pressure for launching an effort to reduce two-pilot crews to single-pilot operations by 2030 but is considering limited single-pilot operations as early as 2027.

According to the news agency, Airbus and Dassault Aviation, makers of the Falcon line of business jets, are advocating for single-pilot operations, but only during the cruise phase—and that the solo pilots would have to meet higher experience and health standards. The effort is said to address the growing pilot shortage and would enable a second pilot to snooze more comfortably in a rest area rather than catnapping in the cockpit.

Such a rule change would enable operators to dispatch some longer missions with two pilots rather than requiring three or four. Reuters reports the proposal is sparking some “backlash” among pilot groups.

EASA manager Andrea Boiardi told Reuters an earlier proposal from the industry to allow totally single-pilot flying by 2030 was “absolutely not realistic.”

Any change in crewing requirements would first have to be approved by individual airlines, their pilot unions and the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is said to be preparing to study the topic early this year. Reuters reports that Boiardi said EASA would consider such operations only on more modern aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing’s 787s and 777Xs.

3pointlanding

And to those who said it wouldn't be done in our lifetime, I have a lot of crow in my freezer waiting for you.

opt0712

Done? Hahah ok. First it was 2025, now it's maybe 2030. Most airlines can't even negotiate a contract in 5 years or less. Not saying it isn't coming, but to think this is a black and white done deal is absurd.

Also, could they not have found a photo from at least the past two decades?

JohnBurke

Do you? 'Cause kisses ain't contracts, and proposals ain't promises. Anybody can say what they'd like to do. It doesn't mean they get to do it.

Fear not, chicken little. The sky hasn't fallen yet.

BertMacklinFBI

This is for business jets. And ya… The picture also dashes credibility.

maxjet

Called prof of concept. I see loss of an additional crew member in 10 years. Remember technology does not grow on a linear scale.

BertMacklinFBI

10 days. Tops.

CardboardCutout

Pollyanna. You're already fired, you just don't know it yet.

JohnnyBekkestad

So you are still going to have the pilot on board just pay him less… gotcha

DVNO

I think we need to get ahead of this and get our high tech brethren some representation. Gotta make sure they are paying dues and wearing their lanyards. For us human types, we have to understand that there's going to be some mentoring needed, especially for the new bots coming onto the line. I don't want to see them come online and have crew sked trying to get them to work outside the limits of the contract. Plus, and I speak for myself, they're probably still due a crew meal and I could probably nab it.