Airplane manufacturers think new technology will compensate for taking a pilot out of the cockpit.
The discussion about the controversial project to operate commercial flights with only one pilot in the cockpit is in full swing. European pilots are sounding the alarm and emphasize that the safety of both crew and passengers is at stake. Nevertheless, the European aviation watchdog, the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is taking steps towards regulations that should make these single-pilot operations possible. If EASA grants their approval, aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Dassault can actually implement the plan.
Airbus, Dassault and Cathay Pacific have been working for years to develop single-pilot operations during the cruising altitude phase of a flight. Given the increasing shortages of pilots, these parties see technology as a possible solution for the future. However, the new system would jeopardize the age-old four-eye principle, in which two pilots constantly check each other.
Traditionally, commercial passenger flights are flown by at least two pilots. This collaboration is crucial for safety: pilots assess situations together, continuously exchange information and can intervene immediately in emergency situations. This system has proven its value and effectiveness for decades.
There are two possible approaches to single-pilot flying. In the first variant, the pilots still take off and land together, but during the cruising altitude phase one pilot takes over the cockpit while the other rests. This would mean that only two pilots would be needed instead of four on long-haul flights, which would bring significant cost savings and a reduction in the number of pilots required. Cathay Pacific has already shown interest in this method for their Airbus A350, an aircraft that can carry more than 400 passengers.
The second and more radical approach involves conducting the entire flight by a single pilot, supported by advanced technology and possibly assisted by a remote crew member on the ground. However, this concept raises even more questions about the safety and reliability of operations, as the absence of a co-pilot in the cockpit significantly limits the possibilities for direct intervention and control.
Critics point out that a possible introduction of the first variant could take place within three years, with the second variant in subsequent years. There is great resistance to these plans, especially from the European pilot associations, which warn of the unavoidable risks. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) has emphasized several times that “passenger safety not at stake may be used for economic benefits.”
Pilots emphasize that technical glitches, medical emergencies or even situations such as hijackings or passengers becoming violent are more difficult to handle by just one pilot. “It is irresponsible to think that a single pilot can guarantee the same safety as two pilots working together,” said a spokesperson for a European pilots association.
On the other hand, proponents argue that advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and enhanced automation, could take over many of the duties of a co-pilot. This would reduce pilot workload in the cockpit and could even improve safety by minimizing human error.
eMCO
The aviation industry has always shown an unyielding commitment to safety. This commitment should never be undermined by proposals that could increase risk. The eMCO (Extended Minimum Crew Operations) model currently appears to be a dangerous compromise, failing to meet the industry's strict safety requirements and the trust of the traveling public. The safety of passengers and crew must always take precedence over economic considerations, making this model unsuitable in its current form.
In practice, eMCO amounts to single-pilot operations. This model would increase risk in exchange for an economic benefit. The eMCO concepts carry the risk of pilot incapacity and further eliminate the options to quickly address incidents in the cabin. Even routine considerations surrounding the eMCO proposal raise serious security and operational concerns. For example, imagine a scenario where a single pilot needs to use the restroom. This would result in an unmanned flight deck, posing a significant risk to the aircraft and everyone on board in the event of an onboard emergency or disruption.
Furthermore, even if the only pilot remains on the flight deck, the workload could increase significantly, potentially increasing fatigue levels and reducing situational awareness, critical components of flight safety. The proposed eMCO models could also set a precedent for adopting expanded reduced crew operations (RCO). The advancement of RCO concepts in long-haul passenger and cargo flights could also set a precedent for single-pilot operations (SPO) in commercial transport flights carrying passengers and/or cargo. This completely undermines the safety precedent set in the aviation industry.
In short, SPO and other RCO concepts such as eMCO reduce safety and security levels. Highly automated systems are not an acceptable solution to this shortage. Two pilots on the flight deck are essential to the safety and security of commercial aviation transportation.
Experts in the aviation industry have expressed concerns about these developments. “The idea of reducing the number of pilots on the flight deck poses unacceptable risks,” said a spokesperson for the European Cockpit Association (ECA). “History has taught us time and time again that redundancy in the cockpit is a critical safety factor.” The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) added that “while technologies such as autopilots and advanced on-board computers provide support, they can never replace the experience and judgment of a co-pilot.”
Furthermore, studies show that human fatigue is a significant risk in aviation, and the presence of two pilots helps to address this challenge. Research by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has found that pilot fatigue is a major factor in 15-20% of aviation incidents and accidents. “With only one pilot, the likelihood of fatigue is significantly increased, which increases the risk of human error,” said a NASA researcher.
Passengers have also expressed their concerns. A recent survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed that 85% of respondents feel safer with two pilots in the cockpit. “Public confidence in aviation safety is of the utmost importance,” an IATA spokesperson said. “Any measure that undermines this trust must be thoroughly reconsidered.”
The aviation industry is facing a crucial decision. It's a choice between maintaining proven safety measures or embracing new technologies and practices to increase efficiency and save costs. Either way, the impact on the future of aviation and the safety of millions of passengers worldwide will be enormous.
