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In ], Single Pilot Operations (SPO) refers to commercial flights operated with one pilot, where previously two would be required. In ], Single Pilot Operations (SPO) refers to a proposal for commercial flights operated with one pilot, where previously two would be required.


Single pilot operations will require improvements in technology including aircraft and ] design, and changes to pilot training. Safety must be proved to win acceptance by regulators and the public. Single pilot operations will require improvements in technology including aircraft and ] design, and changes to pilot training. Safety must be proved to win acceptance by regulators and the public.


==History== ==History==
Large aircraft used to have several personnel on the flight deck, including a ] and a ]. Improvements in automation, reliability and technology such as ] and ] navigation have enabled modern aircraft to operate safely with only two pilots on duty. Historically, large aircraft required several personnel on the flight deck, such as a ], a ], and a dedicated radio operator. Improvements in automation, reliability and technology such as ] and ] have enabled modern large aircraft to operate safely with only ] on duty.


With further technological improvements, it may be possible safely to reduce crew requirements to one, providing cost savings. With further technological improvements, it may be possible safely to reduce crew requirements to one, providing cost savings.

The ] (EASA) has been investigating Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), where an aircraft could be operated by one pilot in the ]. This would be an initial requirement before single pilot operations might be allowed at a later stage. The research project runs from 2022 to 2025.<ref name="EASA EMCO">https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/research-projects/emco-sipo-extended-minimum-crew-operations-single-pilot-operations-safety-risk</ref> ] and ] have expressed interest in eMCO.<ref name="ECA IFALPA"/>

Airbus completed its Autonomous Taxi, Take-Off and Landing (ATTOL) project in 2020, demonstrating an autonomous flight with an ] aircraft.<ref name="AT AATOL">https://www.aviationtoday.com/2020/06/29/airbus-concludes-attol-project-featured-world-first-automated-takeoffs-landings/</ref> In 2023, Airbus project Dragonfly used a combination of normal and infrared cameras, as well as radar, to assist pilots in various situations.<ref name="BBC Dragonfly">https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65676421</ref> In 2024 Airbus began testing an autonomous ] system called "Optimate".<ref name="Optimate">https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-05-new-pilot-assistance-technologies-take-to-the-road-with-airbus</ref>


==Opposition== ==Opposition==
Proposals for Single Pilot Operations are opposed by several pilots' ]s, including the American ],<ref name="ALPA">https://www.alpa.org/advocacy/single-pilot</ref><ref name="Forbes">https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2024/06/29/pilot-leader-blasts-airbus-for-backing-single-pilot-flight-deck---its-insane/</ref> the ]<ref name="ECA">https://www.eurocockpit.eu/campaign/single-pilot-flights-gamble-safety</ref>, and the ].<ref name="BALPA">https://www.balpa.org/campaign/rco/</ref> Proposals for Single Pilot Operations are opposed by several pilots' ]s, including the ] (IFALPA),<ref name="ECA IFALPA">https://www.eurocockpit.eu/news/made-eu-reduced-crew-operations</ref> the American ] (ALPA),<ref name="ALPA">https://www.alpa.org/advocacy/single-pilot</ref><ref name="Forbes">https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2024/06/29/pilot-leader-blasts-airbus-for-backing-single-pilot-flight-deck---its-insane/</ref> the ],<ref name="ECA">https://www.eurocockpit.eu/campaign/single-pilot-flights-gamble-safety</ref> and the ].<ref name="BALPA">https://www.balpa.org/campaign/rco/</ref>

In their ], ALPA argue that two-pilot operations reduces errors through cross-checking, workload sharing and better ], and provides redundancy in the case of pilot incapacitation. They argue that pilots learn from each other when working together; that pilots are more versatile than aircraft equipment and sensors; and that pilots are better at autonomous decision making. They also raise concerns about cybersecurity.<ref name="ALPA" />


==See also== ==See also==
*]
*] *]
⚫ *]
*] *]
*] *]
⚫ *]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links==
]
*
*, European Cockpit Association campaign website

] ]

Latest revision as of 07:41, 26 December 2024

In aviation, Single Pilot Operations (SPO) refers to a proposal for commercial flights operated with one pilot, where previously two would be required.

Single pilot operations will require improvements in technology including aircraft and cockpit design, and changes to pilot training. Safety must be proved to win acceptance by regulators and the public.

History

Historically, large aircraft required several personnel on the flight deck, such as a navigator, a flight engineer, and a dedicated radio operator. Improvements in automation, reliability and technology such as autopilot and satellite navigation have enabled modern large aircraft to operate safely with only two pilots on duty.

With further technological improvements, it may be possible safely to reduce crew requirements to one, providing cost savings.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has been investigating Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), where an aircraft could be operated by one pilot in the cruise. This would be an initial requirement before single pilot operations might be allowed at a later stage. The research project runs from 2022 to 2025. Airbus and Dassault have expressed interest in eMCO.

Airbus completed its Autonomous Taxi, Take-Off and Landing (ATTOL) project in 2020, demonstrating an autonomous flight with an A350-1000 aircraft. In 2023, Airbus project Dragonfly used a combination of normal and infrared cameras, as well as radar, to assist pilots in various situations. In 2024 Airbus began testing an autonomous aircraft taxi system called "Optimate".

Opposition

Proposals for Single Pilot Operations are opposed by several pilots' trade unions, including the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), the American Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the European Cockpit Association, and the British Air Line Pilots Association.

In their white paper, ALPA argue that two-pilot operations reduces errors through cross-checking, workload sharing and better decision-making, and provides redundancy in the case of pilot incapacitation. They argue that pilots learn from each other when working together; that pilots are more versatile than aircraft equipment and sensors; and that pilots are better at autonomous decision making. They also raise concerns about cybersecurity.

See also

References

  1. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/research-projects/emco-sipo-extended-minimum-crew-operations-single-pilot-operations-safety-risk
  2. ^ https://www.eurocockpit.eu/news/made-eu-reduced-crew-operations
  3. https://www.aviationtoday.com/2020/06/29/airbus-concludes-attol-project-featured-world-first-automated-takeoffs-landings/
  4. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65676421
  5. https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-05-new-pilot-assistance-technologies-take-to-the-road-with-airbus
  6. ^ https://www.alpa.org/advocacy/single-pilot
  7. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2024/06/29/pilot-leader-blasts-airbus-for-backing-single-pilot-flight-deck---its-insane/
  8. https://www.eurocockpit.eu/campaign/single-pilot-flights-gamble-safety
  9. https://www.balpa.org/campaign/rco/

External links

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