I wasn't really too curious about the crew. I realize that some of those jobs aren't easily replaced, just like you would still have flight attendants on the theoretical unmanned airliner. I was more curious about the "watchstander" position, and how easily that could be replaced vice an airline pilot.
I agree. The first proving ground would be cargo aircraft. I don't know about Memphis, though. I think the first autonomous airplane airports will be on the coasts where they don't have to fly over large tracts of the U.S. Even with this, I think we are a long way off. Again, mostly due to economic reasons. I'd Boeing going to develop a twin engine widebody freighter just to replace the 100 or so 777Fs in service if they don't know if the passenger airlines will sign on to buy the passenger models of those airplanes.
...and that is where automated systems tank. Decisions can only be made based on the data being provided to the system. Once things happen "that should never happen" the automated logic is going to make very poor decisions that would conflict with what a human would decide to do.I doubt the passengers on Qantas QF32 would still be living if the aircraft had been piloted by Henning's automaton, nor is it the only example of such an incident. It took the combined knowledge and talent of five pilots to overcome the emergency.
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetal...est-standards-in-piloting-again-saved-qantas/
When an aircraft is being piloted autonomously, depending on sensors and such to make decisions, how will it respond to damage like this, which occurred when the #2 engine on QF32 suffered an uncontained failure?
Read through the list of alarms and conditions the pilots had to contend with in the link below. Would an automated system have responded to save the day? I emphatically say no.
http://blog.flightstory.net/1585/qantas-qf32-preliminary-report/
It's questionable as to whether or not the outcome would have been the same it there had been an average crew on that flight as well. It is a textbook example of CRM, crew coordination, task shedding and delegation. My hat is off to the crew for their actions.
Are you familiar with adaptive/reconfigurable control architectures and do you follow the research? There *have* been breakthroughs in recent years regarding robust and adaptive control and autonomy. It's still a long way from the transport cockpit but there has been considerable progress. There are weapons flying with these architectures today and there have been flight demonstrations of drastic failures and undefined (in the control law sense) configuration changes, like wing sections departing, etc) on UAVs and RPVs.
...and a dog.
Nauga,
and his LSO seeing-eye dog relocation plan
At the time with then-current technology, I agree. With today's technology it is not a tremendous hurdle to have provisions for propulsion control, manual, aided, or autonomous.
I wouldn't be so sure, actually the reverse might be true. Let's not forget that the 'single pilot' idea is predicated on the ability to control aircraft from ground.
Folks, do not in any way assume at's in the current fleet is bleeding-edge technology or even current state-of-the art. Guidance, navigation, and control research continues at a rapid pace, even if you don't read about it on AvWeb, in AvWeek, or in whatever IT journal you read. If you want to know what's happening in GNC and autonomy, spend some time reviewing IEEE, AIAA, ACGSC, and ACC materials. Bring your calculus book
Until one goes plowing through a subdivision in the middle of the night.
Until one goes plowing through a subdivision in the middle of the night.
As far as single piloting a E195, you'll need to go to DC and the FAA HQ and pitch your argument. From my knowledge you're gonna have a heck of a time convincing them.
I am not UPS or Fedex. They want a rule they get a rule.[/qoute]
If that was the case it would have happened or be in the works.
Ever seen the difference between a Classic 747 cockpit and a -400 cockpit?
Nauga has gone into some good explanations on this. You do realize that there is just a bit more than removing the breakers and splicing wires don't you? You do realize the purpose for those breakers?
Ever seen the difference between a Classic 747 cockpit and a -400 cockpit?
And you do realize that these military RPAs are crashing at an outstanding rate. I have buds who fly them when their Guard units converted over from a flying squadron to an RPA squadron. These guys are the most ardent believers that we won't be flying around pilotless aircraft anytime soon. They see day in and day out what it takes to get one of these things airborne and keep it airborne, both in manpower and money. It's staggering.