4 ms·

Also because full automation means pilots, so no certifications for any aircraft types, let alone the same one. So there would be no need to force the plane to

Also because full automation means pilots, so no certifications for any aircraft types, let alone the same one. So there would be no need to force the plane to be a "737".

kzrdude 5y ago
Why not? Full certification of automatic piloting of a new plane type might have run into the same kind of situation - that you want to "preserve the plane type" to get to market quicker with the product. This is conjecture since we're nowhere near this yet?
- hedora 5y ago
  "Preserve the plane type" definitely delayed the 737MAX and only served to save pilot training costs. With no pilots, even that (dubious) advantage would be gone.
- Terretta 5y ago
  > nowhere near this yet Is that sure? Autonomous cars are hard because of “surprise”. Other drivers, kids, bicycles, randomness intersecting the street that has to be dealt with. By and large, aircraft have the way cleared for them by ATC, and objects that may intersect with them tend to be on a path that is neither “came out of nowhere” nor erratic (UFOs aside!). Weather is a challenge, but autopilot deals with weather already. Arguably there’s much less surprise for a sky bus than a road bus, and arguably the fact it’s a big airliner instead of a crossover SUV doesn’t make it particularly harder for a machine. TL;DR: Planes seem “nearer” than cars and some cars pretend to be automatic already.
  - kzrdude 5y ago
    Surprises exist of course. It's rare but when it happens the consequences are greater than for a car accident.
- apatheticonion 5y ago
  As someone who knows the basics of driver automation software - I would love an in-depth breakdown from an expert on the topic of aircraft pilot automation. I'd imagine there would be a many-decade long period of overlap where pilots would observe the plane flying before the plane can fly solo.

4 ms·

Also because full automation means pilots, so no certifications for any aircraft types, let alone the same one. So there would be no need to force the plane to

by trelane 5y ago

Also because full automation means pilots, so no certifications for any aircraft types, let alone the same one. So there would be no need to force the plane to be a "737".

kzrdude 5y ago
Why not? Full certification of automatic piloting of a new plane type might have run into the same kind of situation - that you want to "preserve the plane type" to get to market quicker with the product. This is conjecture since we're nowhere near this yet?
- hedora 5y ago
  "Preserve the plane type" definitely delayed the 737MAX and only served to save pilot training costs. With no pilots, even that (dubious) advantage would be gone.
- Terretta 5y ago
  > nowhere near this yet Is that sure? Autonomous cars are hard because of “surprise”. Other drivers, kids, bicycles, randomness intersecting the street that has to be dealt with. By and large, aircraft have the way cleared for them by ATC, and objects that may intersect with them tend to be on a path that is neither “came out of nowhere” nor erratic (UFOs aside!). Weather is a challenge, but autopilot deals with weather already. Arguably there’s much less surprise for a sky bus than a road bus, and arguably the fact it’s a big airliner instead of a crossover SUV doesn’t make it particularly harder for a machine. TL;DR: Planes seem “nearer” than cars and some cars pretend to be automatic already.
  - kzrdude 5y ago
    Surprises exist of course. It's rare but when it happens the consequences are greater than for a car accident.
- apatheticonion 5y ago
  As someone who knows the basics of driver automation software - I would love an in-depth breakdown from an expert on the topic of aircraft pilot automation. I'd imagine there would be a many-decade long period of overlap where pilots would observe the plane flying before the plane can fly solo.