Hr.2881 you won't believe this
09-20-2007, 01:32 PM
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Desk :(
Posts: 44
Originally Posted by rickair7777
This legislation is not refering to pax airliners...it is refering to commercial UAV's which perform surviellance, photography, or possibly serve as airborne telecommunications nodes.
It will take ten years to implement this thing.
After 20 years of trouble-free operations (not a sure thing by any means), they MIGHT start thinking about unmanned cargo planes. Maybe.
But the real kicker here is class B airspace...they might be willing to sacrifice a few private pilots in E or G airspace to midairs, but the first UAV that knocks down an airliner in a class B is going to set their whole program back another 20 years. For that reason, they will be very reluctant and slow to try UAV's at major commercial airports. If they don't have experience with little UAV's in class B, they won't be able to try the BIG UAV's.
Also I doubt any existing airliner (pax or cargo) could be certified as a UAV. They will need a clean-slate design for that (another ten years).
I'm not too worried. However...If you're ten years old cargo might not be the brightest move for you.
It will take ten years to implement this thing.
After 20 years of trouble-free operations (not a sure thing by any means), they MIGHT start thinking about unmanned cargo planes. Maybe.
But the real kicker here is class B airspace...they might be willing to sacrifice a few private pilots in E or G airspace to midairs, but the first UAV that knocks down an airliner in a class B is going to set their whole program back another 20 years. For that reason, they will be very reluctant and slow to try UAV's at major commercial airports. If they don't have experience with little UAV's in class B, they won't be able to try the BIG UAV's.
Also I doubt any existing airliner (pax or cargo) could be certified as a UAV. They will need a clean-slate design for that (another ten years).
I'm not too worried. However...If you're ten years old cargo might not be the brightest move for you.
09-20-2007, 10:09 PM
#12
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 16
I have some experience with UAVs and I can tell you that UAV "pilots" make some big bucks. That won't change anytime soon and you're not likely to see an airline choose an expensive guy on the ground over an expensive guy in the air.
UAVs have their place, but hauling people or even cargo through the national airspace system is not one of them. Between the safety concerns, airspace issues, lacking technology, and incredible logistics requirements, I'd be very surprised to ever see UAVs fill a role like we're all concerned about. Any attempt to do so would fall into the category of cool science project, but in the end the benefits will not outweigh the costs.
UAVs have their place, but hauling people or even cargo through the national airspace system is not one of them. Between the safety concerns, airspace issues, lacking technology, and incredible logistics requirements, I'd be very surprised to ever see UAVs fill a role like we're all concerned about. Any attempt to do so would fall into the category of cool science project, but in the end the benefits will not outweigh the costs.
09-20-2007, 10:38 PM
#13
Works Every Weekend
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,210
Originally Posted by Charlie Murphy
The smartest thing ALPA and the IPA could do, is pool together all of their money, figure out who is flying the first UAV, and pay them off to fly it into the side of a mountain.
-Ben
09-20-2007, 10:55 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: DD->DH->RU/XE soon to be EV
Posts: 3,732
Originally Posted by HercDriver130
Yea sure...yep.. name me one piece of transportation that is widely used and has no operator....... I see people lining up to fly on un manned aircraft.... maybe in 50 years.... lol
Disclaimer; The above statement is intended as a joke ONLY, and is not endorsed nor sponsored by the person that wrote it. The disclaimer is to keep those that take everything written on here SO SERIOUSLY at bay.
I'm kidding, I don't REALLY compare out job to that of one from a looooong time ago. I've just heard it used before.
Last edited by dojetdriver; 09-20-2007 at 11:03 PM.
09-21-2007, 11:21 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: DD->DH->RU/XE soon to be EV
Posts: 3,732
Originally Posted by greedyairlineexec
i read an article on the cost of an unmanned airliner. it was over $600mill, so, for the foreseable future is cheaper to pay pilots .
09-21-2007, 06:43 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 292
Originally Posted by Canyonman
What are the requirements to operate a UAV? Does the FAA require a commercial/instrument rating? If so all of us are qualified to make the transition
CM
CM
09-25-2007, 08:30 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Looking to the left
Posts: 175
Trains have conductors and engineers on them - including the ones with only freight stuff and no pax. My uncle is a conductor for a railroad and never works on pax carrying trains, only ones with coal and that sort of stuff.
