4 ms·

Aviation is so safe and I'd hate to see us ruin that, but that's exactly what the airlines are trying to do. And they're doing so because of a pilot shortage

Aviation is so safe and I'd hate to see us ruin that, but that's exactly what the airlines are trying to do. And they're doing so because of a pilot shortage they created when they forced so many pilots into retirement during Covid. The airlines are trying to move us to a single pilot: https://fortune.com/2022/11/21/airlines-pushing-one-pilot-in-cockpit-passenger-jets-instead-of-two/ https://fortune.com/2022/11/21/airlines-pushing-one-pilot-in... The airlines are trying to lower flight time requirements for pilots: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Regional-carriers-want-relief-from-1500-hour-rule https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Region... They created a problem and now want to solve it by messing with a system that has made air travel the safest way to travel for the last decade. I'm sure more of these near misses would have ended in tragedy with a single, less-experienced pilot.

kccqzy 4y ago
I cannot believe single-pilot commercial flights are being pushed. Just recently there was an impressive analysis featured on HN about MH370 and how the most likely cause was a pilot on a suicide mission: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34506004 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34506004 The next depraved pilot going on a suicide mission is suddenly more real.
ledauphin 4y ago
the flight time requirement is very recent and has not been associated with an improvement in air safety. however, i would agree that single pilot operations are a pointless optimization (pilots don't cost that much compared to all the other operational costs) and will almost certainly result in more accidents.
hackeraccount 4y ago
If I were the airlines I wouldn't be pushing for a single pilot I'd be pushing for zero pilots. I'd start it with AI/remote pilot assist. Then I'd push it on cargo flights. Then I'd do people. I'd get the manufacturers to build planes without a cockpit (more space for cargo/passengers!) I'm honestly confused as to why the industry isn't moving in that direction.
- ortusdux 4y ago
  I have wondered if Starlink and similar low-latency worldwide internet networks would lead to remote piloting. Personally, I would expect the first application to be the gradual replacement of maritime pilots.

kccqzy 4y ago

I cannot believe single-pilot commercial flights are being pushed. Just recently there was an impressive analysis featured on HN about MH370 and how the most likely cause was a pilot on a suicide mission: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34506004 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34506004 The next depraved pilot going on a suicide mission is suddenly more real.

ledauphin 4y ago

the flight time requirement is very recent and has not been associated with an improvement in air safety. however, i would agree that single pilot operations are a pointless optimization (pilots don't cost that much compared to all the other operational costs) and will almost certainly result in more accidents.

hackeraccount 4y ago

If I were the airlines I wouldn't be pushing for a single pilot I'd be pushing for zero pilots. I'd start it with AI/remote pilot assist. Then I'd push it on cargo flights. Then I'd do people. I'd get the manufacturers to build planes without a cockpit (more space for cargo/passengers!) I'm honestly confused as to why the industry isn't moving in that direction.

ortusdux 4y ago
I have wondered if Starlink and similar low-latency worldwide internet networks would lead to remote piloting. Personally, I would expect the first application to be the gradual replacement of maritime pilots.