Single Pilot Airline Operations: Designing the Aircraft May Be the Easy Part

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

For financial and operational reasons many aircraft manufacturers are working on the development of single-pilot commercial aircraft. It is suggested that cargo operations may commence in the early 2030s followed by passenger flights later that decade. Two technological approaches for the development of single-pilot airliners are being developed either based upon extant technology and operating concepts derived from uninhabited aviation systems and military aircraft, or alternatively based upon high levels of onboard autonomy/automation. This review considers the economic, technological, regulatory (safety) and societal acceptance of the single-pilot airliner, and examines some of the operational challenges that airlines may face. It is suggested that while the technological and safety challenges may be resolved, it is the operational challenges that may determine if the concept is ultimately viable.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)(In-Press)
Number of pages21
JournalThe Aeronautical Journal
Volume(In-Press)
Early online date1 Feb 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 1 Feb 2023

Keywords

  • single pilot operations
  • societal acceptance
  • safety
  • system architecture

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