Will Pilots Become Obsolete? SINGLE- and NO-PILOT Operation explained by CAPTAIN JOE

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Will Pilots Become Obsolete? SINGLE- or NO-PILOT Operation explained by CAPTAIN JOE

Welcome back to the channel!
In this thought-provoking video, we tackle the increasingly relevant topic of single-pilot and no-pilot operations in aviation. As technology advances, the aviation industry faces the possibility of aircraft being flown by just one pilot or even autonomously by computers. Join me as I explore the implications of this shift on safety, pilot workloads, and the overall flying experience. We’ll discuss historical contexts, like the evolution of autopilot systems, and dive into the latest developments from major manufacturers like Airbus.
We’ll also examine the potential challenges and critical hurdles that must be navigated before implementing such radical changes. From pilot incapacitation to cybersecurity threats, this video sheds light on the complexities of reducing cockpit crews.

Key Takeaways:
Comprehensive overview of single-pilot and no-pilot operation concepts
Analysis of safety implications and technological advancements
Discussion of challenges and considerations for the aviation community

Thank you very much for your time! I hope you enjoy this video!
Wishing you all the best!

Your "Captain" Joe

Intro Song:
Outro Song:

Several Plane Videos from @Cargospotter

MFS2020 Clips from @cptrofl1343

Quantas Clips from @WorldofLewisManUtdVlogs

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00:00 Intro
00:49 Evolution of pilot operations
01:40 The importance of the Autopilot
03:48 Single Pilot Operation
05:20 Current discussions about SOP
08:00 Future of the Copilot
09:35 How will it be possible?
15:05 Personal Opinion
16:50 Final words and Outro

[redjaypictures]

Im telling you right now that if airlines start adopting planes without pilots, i will never set foot on a commercial plane ever again

[bannon]

SPO (Single Pilot Operation) sounds like a good idea in theory, but in practice, it’s terrible. In an attempt to save money, the cost ends up goes up, and that cost is human lives, system failure, human fatigue, eventually it’ll add up to a situation that technology nor pilot couldn’t correct, resulting in an accident that’ll cost lives. As the old saying goes, “What goes around, comes around.” Captain Joe is right, there should always be two pilots in the cockpit, at all times.

[WildWeaselPhantom]

If an airline starts a "no pilot in the cockpit" or even a SPO (Single Pilot Operation), I will avoid that airline like the plague. As much I like technology, it can not replace having two pilots in the cockpit. Superb video as always.

[ryanrobertson]

"You spent so much time wondering if you could, you never stopped to think if you should." - Jurassic Park

[TonyP]

In the United States, most trains are still operated by at least two people, and they are locked onto a track and the route set by the control center.

[YoutubW]

Profit over safety. Sad world we live in

[hyenafur]

I’m just gonna say it; no to both. Firstly, you’d have to get the aircraft certificated for Single Pilot operations not only by EASA but also TCCA and the FAA which is notoriously difficult to do or isn’t allowed by law for aircraft over specific MTOW or PAX. Secondly, people don’t seem to understand that in order to fly high UAVs beyond line of sight requires Ku band level receivers and transmitters, which will basically microwave you if you’re within 25 feet (if I recall correctly. Might be larger area) which means you’re looking at cargo only ops. Finally, even if you’re flying a UAV line of sight, you will have a Go-Around min altitude because by the time the signal goes to the CPU then to the FADEC you’re already on the ground. RQ-4s are notorious for those kinds of incidents mostly because ATC is rarely briefed on their min altitude for Go Arounds.

[rezamostafid]

I am a trained computer engineer with a masters degree in automation and control + I also trained as a commercial pilot. Recently while working with AI and testing its code-generation ability, I provided the exact same request ( prompt ) and I got four different responses from the AI and the generated code was useful only in one of the cases! Furthermore if people >KNEW< exactly how the autopilots, various control systems and AI work on an airplane ( specially the AI ) they would not want to fly in an aluminum tube at near the speed of sound and 11km altitude possibly over a large body of water controlled only by some AI model. Invest the money and time intended to train and develop reliable AI ( that can match a good pilot's ability ) instead on selecting people with the correct aptitude and attitude ( to fly airplanes ) and then train and support them well in/on their job. Only non-technical people or those who haven't operated planes in serious weather would make such a suggestion. And YES the pilot's salaries are peanuts compared to the other airline operating costs. I am not claiming that pilots are flawless, there quite a few operators with questionable attitudes and abilities that cause problems ....agreed....BUT eliminating the human element is not the answer. We need the human in the automation loop ( Boeing's approach by the way ), apart from the question of whether the flying public would accept this. Companies like Airbus would of course have the incentive to push for this...so it really boils down to pilots-vs-engineers.

[fnaeem]

Sully started the RAT b4 the checklist and its on his testimony. there was no dual engine failure at low altitude in the manual. AI works upon learning models, as long as we are willing to have "Disaster in the Hudson" instead of "Miracle on the Hudson" and actuaries determine that payout is worth the savings, it willl come. Similar to outsourcing MCAS software dev to someone who had never seen a pilots seat in any aircraft.

[iPlayOnSpica]

1. Like all essential systems, two pilots are a necessary safety redundancy in the face of emergencies and failures. They're also uniquely organic (unaffected by software errors, not interfaced with computers). The stakes carrying hundreds of passengers are much higher than a single-seater fighter jet with a seat ejection system.
2. Multiple crew system reduces fatigue and loneliness (not a joke; working in a team tends to make a person not disregard proper procedures), and helps prevent pilot s**cide plane crashes.
3. A two-pilot system makes an excellent training environment for the junior pilot, as well as providing a good opportunity for the senior pilot to develop leadership skills.

[Albatross-]

That would be an economic disaster.Nobody would want to fly in a large aircraft anymore. Do they really think we are that stupid ?And is there really a responsible pilot who would go along with that ? Could we still trust such a pilot ? I trust Captain Joe !

[swixoful]

When there are no pilots up front, I wont be flying anymore.

[jimmeade]

Excellent video Joe!
My career has been in the railway industry, where automation has made a driver obsolete, with appropriate safety levels, since the 1970s. Why? Because trains only have 2 degrees of freedom, and they are on the ground. When the automation detects a potential unsafe condition, it simply stops the train. Unfortunately, airline/aircraft corporate executives and accountants, not skilled in the technical aspects, believe that the same logic can be applied to aircraft, which have 3 degrees of freedom, and you can't just stop the plane when something goes wrong. Joe briefly mentioned public acceptance of OPO and NPO. That has been the biggest hurdle for trains. Many rail transit authorities around the world keep a person on board, not doing much other than opening and closing doors, just to please the public. The "driver" you see sitting in the cab is not driving the train; there only to make you, the riding public, feel better. We're just getting to the point where autonomous cars are starting to become accepted by some members of the public. It will be a long time before the general public accepts flying with one or no pilot.

[melbar]

Replace the CEO with an AI, win-win :)

[HomelanderIsSick]

Get it, you can automate flying with just the captain. What if he gets food poisoning, or simply wants to take a dump and there’s a decompression in the cabin. Who’s gonna make the decision to land, will the captain be able to clean his mess fast and understand the situation in 5 seconds all while he’s in a decompressed washroom of 2x2ft size smelling like rotten bacon and eggs???

[leo_yt]

You are damn right! Safety and redundancy is the most important thing in Aviation and cannot be reduced by greed for profit.

[mysockC]

Airlines: No more pilot!

Swiss-Cheese model: Yes.

A well trained crew backed up by autonomous monitoring flying the aircraft is the safest system practically achievable. Aircraft flown by computer servers and world engines is the literal stuff of dystopian movies, videogames, and nightmares.

[JB_Hobbies]

I am in a flying club and also rent from time to time, so I fly several planes. Every time I get in the cockpit, I always make sure to know exactly where the autopilot and electric trim circuit breakers are just in case the those oh so helpful systems suddenly disagree with my intentions to have a safe flight.

[brad]

A.I can't get my ocado shopping right, let alone land a jet. we need 2 professionals in the cockpit

[pandaroll]

Agree 💯 Joe. My gut said a big NO when this idea was first mooted, and you have just articulated the details of my gut feeling in this video. Having watched a huge amount of aviation accident/incident videos where the cockpit crew performed unbelievably under the most challenging of situations, it is incomprehensible that AI could even reach that level of finesse. Your statement about technological advances being an amazing tool are spot-on. That brief shot of a pilot alone in a two-seater airline cockpit made me feel a depressing sense of aloneness - and I'm glad that was one of your points raised. Will be a very sad, and retrogressive path aviation takes if this becomes a reality. Thanks for a great video Joe.