3 ms·

Given that the ratio of passenger to cargo flights is roughly 10:1, it's not clear to me how this could ever really address a pilot shortage in a big way?

aftbit 3y ago
Start with cargo, move to passenger flights once the automation has accumulated thousands of successful flights and millions of hours.
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  Also install in commercial passenger aircraft and enable to be pilot of last resort if onboard human pilots become incapacitated and a cryptographically verified command is sent to the aircraft (airline? ATC? TBD who should have this authority). Very similar to Cirrus Safe Return Autoland, but with additional safeguards (remote command from an approved authority) vs passenger command. > Once activated by the touch of a button, Safe Return assumes control of the aircraft and transforms the Vision Jet into an autonomous vehicle that navigates to the nearest suitable airport for landing, communicates with air traffic control, lands and brings the aircraft safely to a complete stop, allowing passengers to exit the aircraft. https://cirrusaircraft.com/story/faa-certifies-cirrus-vision-jets-safe-return-becoming-the-first-jet-aircraft-to-be-certified-with-garmin-autoland/ https://cirrusaircraft.com/story/faa-certifies-cirrus-vision... https://youtu.be/PiGkzgfR_c0 https://youtu.be/PiGkzgfR_c0
- JumpCrisscross 3y ago
  > move to passenger flights once the automation has accumulated thousands of successful flights In the interim, you can reduce the number of pilots to one on non-ETOPS flights as well as their required minimum flight hours.
stevehawk 3y ago
The fewer pilots flying cargo means the more pilots to fly passengers.
seanmcdirmid 3y ago
It’s actually 6:1. You would also have some more flexibility with autonomous cargo planes, possibly some better suited designs for the aircraft if it didn’t have to support people. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-ratio-of-passenger-to-cargo-airplanes-in-the-air-at-any-given-time#:~:text=Given%20that%20there%20are%20around,for%20every%201%20cargo%20aircraft https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-ratio-of-passenger-to-carg....

aftbit 3y ago

Start with cargo, move to passenger flights once the automation has accumulated thousands of successful flights and millions of hours.

toomuchtodo 3y ago
Also install in commercial passenger aircraft and enable to be pilot of last resort if onboard human pilots become incapacitated and a cryptographically verified command is sent to the aircraft (airline? ATC? TBD who should have this authority). Very similar to Cirrus Safe Return Autoland, but with additional safeguards (remote command from an approved authority) vs passenger command. > Once activated by the touch of a button, Safe Return assumes control of the aircraft and transforms the Vision Jet into an autonomous vehicle that navigates to the nearest suitable airport for landing, communicates with air traffic control, lands and brings the aircraft safely to a complete stop, allowing passengers to exit the aircraft. https://cirrusaircraft.com/story/faa-certifies-cirrus-vision-jets-safe-return-becoming-the-first-jet-aircraft-to-be-certified-with-garmin-autoland/ https://cirrusaircraft.com/story/faa-certifies-cirrus-vision... https://youtu.be/PiGkzgfR_c0 https://youtu.be/PiGkzgfR_c0
JumpCrisscross 3y ago
> move to passenger flights once the automation has accumulated thousands of successful flights In the interim, you can reduce the number of pilots to one on non-ETOPS flights as well as their required minimum flight hours.

stevehawk 3y ago

The fewer pilots flying cargo means the more pilots to fly passengers.

seanmcdirmid 3y ago

It’s actually 6:1. You would also have some more flexibility with autonomous cargo planes, possibly some better suited designs for the aircraft if it didn’t have to support people. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-ratio-of-passenger-to-cargo-airplanes-in-the-air-at-any-given-time#:~:text=Given%20that%20there%20are%20around,for%20every%201%20cargo%20aircraft https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-ratio-of-passenger-to-carg....