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Airbus tests pilot assist that can automatically divert flights
Autonomous transportation assistance isn't limited to cars. Airbus has started testing a pilot assistance feature, DragonFly, that could save an aircraft in an emergency. The system can automatically divert a flight in an emergency. It can not only pick a flight path to the best airport (using factors like airspace rules and weather), but communicate with air traffic control and an airline's operations center. If the pilots are incapacitated, the aircraft can still land safely. (www.engadget.com) More...
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The camel's nose is under the tent for fully autonomous flight.
Welcome, Dignitaries and Special Guests, to the world's first autonomous airline flight. Sit back and relax. Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong Nothing
Like me, this joke is over sixty years old and debuted when automated landings were introduced. Of course, automatic landings are now routine and very safe and have eliminated many of the mistakes made by humans like dipping below the glide path because they think they have spotted a bit of ground.
The same ilk demanded a three man crew on the two man 737 which was not only cumbersome but totally unnecessary. It was nothing more than union featherbedding. The same thing happened when the Airbus A-300 debuted. Engineers had to go back and create an FE panel with enough switches to keep someone slightly busy. This was eliminated on later models without any negative effect on safety.
The same ilk demanded a three man crew on the two man 737 which was not only cumbersome but totally unnecessary. It was nothing more than union featherbedding. The same thing happened when the Airbus A-300 debuted. Engineers had to go back and create an FE panel with enough switches to keep someone slightly busy. This was eliminated on later models without any negative effect on safety.
Imagine the cockpit conversation - “what’s it doing now ? “ Or “Open the pod bay doors, HAL. “
Pilots? Pilots? We don't need no stinkin' pilots!
In many cases, NO. The US Air Force now flies 40% of its missions with RPVs. .
