"Looking Forward" to a Pilotless Future

[Derfred]

With GLS there is really no need for any 'visual'/non-instrument approaches to any runway in the world. Add the SVS that automatic systems can use as cross match to 3D radar maps and automated approaches should be possible to anywhere. With GLS an aircraft can be 'established' while in a turn on a GLS approach so the procedures can be a little more interesting than just long straight in descents.

Ahh, yes Ian W... the point is not how well an aircraft can autoland at a GLS-equipped airport with everything functioning correctly. Or what the USN are doing with UAS's. No one cares if one of those ditches in the ocean (except the USN beancounters).

The point is how well an aircraft can autoland at an airport where the GLS/ILS just failed, or when it has to divert to an airport without one, with degraded systems, with passengers on board. And how well it can make the correct decision to do so.

Talking about autoland is a bit of a waste of time, we've been doing that for many decades.

Just taxiing to and from the runway autonomously would be an infrastructure nightmare to develop, let alone any airborne decision making about weather and fuel.