Pilotless Commercial Aircraft
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: In transit
Whilst on a train earlier today I was wondering if there are driverless trains on long distance or high speed routes anywhere in the world.
I know that local transit type operations are often driverless, but I think that's the limit.
I know that local transit type operations are often driverless, but I think that's the limit.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: earth
The next logical step would be to introduce UAVs for non-passenger roles (crop-spraying, aerial surveying etc). Then I think we might move to 1 pilot cockpit designs, where the plane all but flies itself and the pilot is purely a back-up. Then eventually we could have pilot-less airliners, but it's a long way off.
Mistrust in Management
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 986
Likes: 11
From: UK
Good post by Contour Flyer
I am prepared to accept that at some time in the distant future 'anything' is possible - however for the immediate future (i.e. 200 years) pilotless airliners do not make safety, or commercial sense.
Some people here have suggested that also engineers could be replaced. I doubt that is likely ever. (well not in the next 400 years anyway!)
I speak as an ex LAE, ex Flight Engineer, Captain and General Builder.
Regards
Exeng
Some people here have suggested that also engineers could be replaced. I doubt that is likely ever. (well not in the next 400 years anyway!)
I speak as an ex LAE, ex Flight Engineer, Captain and General Builder.
Regards
Exeng
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 668
Likes: 127
From: London
Possibly of interest.
Your questions answered: ASTRAEA autonomous planes | In-depth | The Engineer
"The first “trailblazer” is likely to be the US Department of Defense. Now that withdrawal from Afghanistan is well under way, there will be a large number of “drones” based in the US. The second will be the deployment of key sub-systems developed for the UAS market in manned aircraft. Here the system is not taking over from the human, but assisting in maintaining situational awareness and helping to select the safest action to take. The first commercial uses of UAS in unrestricted airspace, I believe, will be: freight; inspection of key infrastructure, such as power lines or oil pipelines; and agricultural surveillance, e.g., of livestock or crops.:
"The first “trailblazer” is likely to be the US Department of Defense. Now that withdrawal from Afghanistan is well under way, there will be a large number of “drones” based in the US. The second will be the deployment of key sub-systems developed for the UAS market in manned aircraft. Here the system is not taking over from the human, but assisting in maintaining situational awareness and helping to select the safest action to take. The first commercial uses of UAS in unrestricted airspace, I believe, will be: freight; inspection of key infrastructure, such as power lines or oil pipelines; and agricultural surveillance, e.g., of livestock or crops.:
