PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - "Pilotless airliners safer" - London Times article
Old 3rd Dec 2014, 21:20
  #169 (permalink)  
16024
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Right.
Let's agree for the sake of argument that it's theoretically possible. Just about anything is possible given the time, money, will, bloody mindedness etc.
Let's imagine some gambler of a CEO and some trusting shareholders (this is a fantasy "what if" isn't it?) who says, "Ok, why not?".
Now give us a timescale. We've been banging on about this for at least 20 years. Another 10 to make our minds up and put some money down. Another 10 years to get a prototype out, because every single thing is new, as we have already established that our 60's technology won't do it.
10 years possibly loss-making on remote freight-only rotes (loss-making if you have to construct dedicated terminals or airports).
If we start tomorrow, this takes us to 2044. When is the oil going to run out?
Another 10 years of people getting slowly used to the idea, and we are good to go. What's the lifespan of a new design? 20 years before we expect to get to the ADV, NG, NEO life extension versions? That would take us beyond 2074.
It ain't. Going. To. Happen.
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