Single-pilot airliners proposed

[Phil Bunch]

See:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304011604575564212371734270.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_lifestyle

Embraer is proposing single-pilot airliners with a target date of 10-15 years, for its 40-100 seat airliners.  

With PSX on the way, we desktop pilots need to sharpen our skills "just in case" the single pilot needs our help or to be relieved. (grins)

"Is there a PSX pilot on this flight?" might become an admittedly remote possibility!  (more grins)

It's interesting that the remote piloting of Predator attack drones is being used to justify doing the same or to replace the copilot in airliners "some day".  My understanding is that the US military uses real trained fighter pilots to remotely fly the drones, but they don't like this assignment and would prefer to be flying real fighter jets, etc.

[Will]

Then there's this, from the article: "A 2004 study of U.S. airline pilots by the Federal Aviation Administration found 39 incapacitations and 11 impairments aboard 47 aircraft during the six-year period studied.... Safety of flight was seriously impacted in seven of the 47 flights and resulted in two non-fatal accidents, the FAA said."  I wonder if the savings in crew salary would equal the extra insurance premiums?

[Zinger]

I had participated in a number of threads about pilotless commercial flight. My position is that designers are incapable of creating safe solutions for all circumstances. Total onboard electric system failures  as example preclude remote aircraft control.
It is a taxing disadvantage to be forced to operate aircraft with highly trained human pilots, but within my ability to forecast innovation, I can't see it changing, at least in our time. One could conceiveably test such concept on pure cargo planes which operate in more remote and less dense airports, to obtain experience.

Regarding satisfaction of RPV pilots, my past organization used volunteers who failed manned  flight training. My daughter was a flight instructor there, and now in the industry. The pilots seem happy.

[Jeroen D]

I don't want to offend anyone, but one thing I have observed here in the US, is that a quite a lot of US pilots are grossly overweight. I mean some have trouble getting into their seats, I kid you not! Huffing and puffing just to get into the cockpit.

I don't have any statistics on average weight of the US pilots compared to others, but I've seen a number of pilots who really look extremely unfit. Not just their weight, but their whole physical appearance appears very unfit. You see these guys walking the airports and you think to yourself; I hope he's not piloting my flight!


Back in Europe some years ago, my neighbour was a pilot and I know he was always very consicious of his health and weight. A little bit of extra weight wasn't a big thing, but to much would cost him dearly as he'd be removed from active flight status.

Jeroen

[Will]

I saw a whole 744 flight crew from Air France at their hotel (I was checking in as they were waiting for their van to the airport), and every single one of them was smoking, in uniform.  That looked kinda gross.

[torrence]

I saw a whole 744 flight crew from Air France at their hotel (I was checking in as they were waiting for their van to the airport), and every single one of them was smoking, in uniform.  That looked kinda gross.

If you're talking about this week, Will, cut them a little slack.  They probably had to walk to the airport,  load the baggage themselves, fuel their aircraft, and sit for who's knows how long to get clearance.  

Cheers,
Torrence

[OKD]

Will...

You'll be surprised to find out that how many airlines pilots smoke during flight inside the flightdeck. To prove that, you just walk to the font of the 744 and if you can smell the cigarette smoke, 10/10 is from the fltdeck as the air-vent from upstairs run down to the front of the a/c. Even if they pull the air-vent open from the overhead panel in the fltdeck which is supposed to bring a bit of outside air into the deck, you can still smell it downstairs at the front.

Torrence was correct, with current situation now don't blame them.  Before you know it, they probably have to do the push back of the a/c, just like what they did in Rome a few years back!!

[John H Watson]

Even if they pull the air-vent open from the overhead panel in the fltdeck which is supposed to bring a bit of outside air into the deck, you can still smell it downstairs at the front.

OKD, the aircraft should be pressurised, causing the air in the cockpit to leak out (not vice versa).

There is probably also a venturi effect. This should cause the cockpit air go out even if the aircraft is not pressurised  

Regards
JHW

[OKD]

JHW...

Correctly said so by you...I've just checked back with a friend of mine.....thanks...Just that my whole point was that don't be surprised that pilots do smoke in flightdeck...health or safety hazard.