Yeah ok...

 

The single-pilot cockpit WILL happen eventually, just as the pilotless aircraft. The question is going to be "when?"

I don't think we'll go single-pilot for 15-20 years. It took years after the technology was proven to get rid of the Flight Engineer. The DC-10 didn't really need an engineer at all. How about the early 737s where they were run with an FE.

What will have to happen before this occurs is the flying public will have to accept other automated transportation systems. Driverless cars are in the works, but they aren't normal yet. Driverless busses? This and they'll have to have a good safety record.

 

Single pilot will only happen if YOU let it. I'll be long gone.

 

Hell they talk about the 787 like it is God's gift to aviation and we don't even have any.

I'm guessing Boeing will over promise and under deliver on the 797... just like every airplane that has come out in the last 25 years.

 

Nothing in those sources about single pilot 797 ops. Boeing has put out they want cockpit commonality with the 787.

 

Ugh. So a yoke then?

 

Boeing’s last two clean sheet aircraft have both proved remarkable successful and met or exceeded all the promised specs. The 787 was late but is killing the competition now despite being more money.

 

With the thrust they are devoting to selling more F-15s the USAF doesn't want, I'm not sure I trust their level of effort on anything clean-sheet.

 

Early 737s had a third pilot because of the ALPA crew complement issue which was based on number of passengers. It was not an FAA certification issue and the third pilot wasn't really a flight engineer. The DC-9 started out below the threshold and then stretched above it, allowing airlines to bring up "you operated this same aircraft just fine with fewer passengers, why does it suddenly need a third crew member." Some airlines agreeing to operate the 737 with fewer crewmembers put additional pressure on those that still require the third crewmember and Boeing and the airlines won that battle. The 737 is a horrible example to use regarding aircraft certification and the DC-10 was actually certified for a flight engineer (making them required by the FAA as opposed to a union contract).

My personal conspiracy theory is that was one of the reasons the 737 jumpseat was made like it is, to make the aircraft as unfriendly to a third crewmember as possible.

 

I agree with you on a lot of things, but the 787 has had a ton of problems and not just from being late. Even now there are still 787s grounded due to issues with the Trent 1000 engines.