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Commercial airlines face challenges in adopting single-pilot flights

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Commercial airlines face challenges in adopting single-pilot flights
Policy
Webp alexander
Alexander Feldman, Boeing's Southeast Asia President | The Asia Group

The debate over the future of single-pilot flights in commercial aviation continues to be a complex issue. While single-pilot operations are already in place for light jets in private and business sectors, the transition to larger commercial aircraft is fraught with challenges. Airlines see potential cost savings, but pilots' unions warn of safety risks and job losses. Regulatory bodies like the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) face the task of determining when such operations might be considered safe.

The reduction in cockpit crew numbers from five to two since the 1950s suggests a possible shift toward single-pilot or even pilotless aircraft. Alexander Feldman, Boeing's Southeast Asia President, remarked at a Bloomberg business summit: “The technology is there for single pilots, it’s really about where the regulators and the general public feel comfortable.”

Despite technological advancements, regulatory approval remains elusive. Manufacturers are developing systems to ensure safety, but EASA has indicated a move away from immediate approval of single-pilot operations. The agency plans to study "new advanced flight deck technologies" before proposing new regulations.

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Airlines argue that single-pilot flights could reduce costs by lowering payroll and training expenses, potentially resulting in cheaper fares or improved services. Airbus and Dassault have requested regulatory reviews from EASA, citing current automation levels as sufficient for reduced crew operations during cruising.

Opposition comes from groups like One Means None, which highlight safety concerns such as lower situational awareness and increased workload for pilots. They argue that one pilot may struggle with issues like unruly passengers or technical malfunctions without a co-pilot.

Recent incidents underscore these concerns. A Lufthansa A321 was left temporarily pilotless after an officer suffered a seizure while alone in the cockpit. Spanish authorities recommended measures to prevent such situations by ensuring another person is present when one pilot leaves the cockpit.

While private jets operate safely with single pilots under certain regulations, commercial aircraft face stricter requirements. Examples include jets like Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 and HondaJet Elite II, which have limited range and capacity compared to commercial planes.

As discussions continue, EASA's latest updates show caution toward approving single-pilot operations soon. Janet Northcote of EASA stated: “EASA has adjusted its rulemaking program to make clear that we will focus first on evaluating the development and deployment of such advanced cockpit technologies."

With Florian Guillermet taking over as EASA's director, further developments will determine whether commercial airlines will adopt single-pilot operations or maintain current standards for safety reasons.

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