Airline pilots soon to be replaced by computers?

Question

Is it really true that air-line pilots could be replaced by computers? If it is true, the by how many years will this happen?

Answer 1

I agree with the first post... it's not possible.  There are way too many variables in flying... emergencies, medical issues with passengers, weather, computer problems, etc.  

Also, please don't think all flying is that automated.  There are many airliners still flying today with minimal automation.  One example... any beech 1900 out their flying out of small cities (great lakes is probably the largest flyer of these aircraft) still to this day does not have an auto-pilot.  Passengers fly on these airplanes daily... and I have a hard time seeing these aircraft going out of service in the near future-- there really is no substitute for a 19 seat turboprop on many routes.  Also, all though they are being phased out, Northwest is still flying DC-9s that were made in the 1960's.  DC-9's are being flown everyday with 1960's technology... and the public is riding in them across the country.  People tend to think airplanes are automated... many are... but many are not.  Until it becomes profitable to put new aircraft on every route in the US... and I doubt it'll be in my lifetime... the public will ride on archaic aircraft.  

Also, as has been said... I have a hard time seeing the public trusting solely a computer with their lives.  h**l, I have a hard enough time keeping my Dell laptop running-- I have a hard time thinking it'd be any easier to keep an airplane running from tokyo to new york.

Answer 2

Sooner or later, don't know when, it will happen. Everybody hear talks as though computer technology is going to stand still. It won't. Every function where computers have replaced pilots have improved safety. 85% of aircraft accident involve human error in some fashion.

So yes, as technology advances and the public has had time to digest it as natural pilots will move out. Good thing too if you knew some of the pilots I know who folks refer to as the decision maker in emergencies.

Answer 3

No.  There are too many variables in flying, and too many situations in which human perception cannot be replaced by machine perception.

Most importantly, computers can handle only completely normal, expected situations.  If things get out of hand, the computer will be completely lost; it takes a human brain to sort out the unexpected.

Computers will not replace the capabilities of the flight deck crew.  And if they did, most people would not ride with them.  Would you?

Answer 4

As robotics become more complex and "cool" in alarm situation, them are better than a sexworn and tired pilot.

Answer 5

They might make the computers better and do more during flight but they will always have atleast one pilot in case of emergency, this should be in effect for at least for the next 100 yrs.

They could make artificial intelligence machines but it could be dangerous.

Answer 6

It won't happen. Computerised pilots won't be able to make decisions, if there's an emergency, the whole plane will die. Imagine if there were hijackers, the computer pilot cannot do a thing.

Answer 7

no.pilots are highly trained professionals.pilots are the only hope if an aircraft goes out of control.so.it is not possible to replace the pilot.

Answer 8

Maybe when computer programmers can think of everything.  So far they haven't met that rigorous standard.

Answer 9

this couldn't be possible because the human brain is much more sufisticated than a mechanical one.(i know its just a movie but watch STEALTH and the robotic plane goes crazy i don't think you want that happening to you on an airline flight   just saying)

Answer 10

the magic 8 ball says.... maybe

Answer 11

Most recent airliners have so sophisticated avionics that the auto-pilot can take off, cruise, go to the destination, and land automatically.

But, they still need someone to program them, and tell them this is the flight to London, not to Paris.

Can it become entirely automated? Yes.

Is this desirable? Well, we're not sure yet.

If there is an emergency on board, if the auto-pilot fails, what is left to fly? If someone needs emergency medical attention, how can an automated system be informed of the need to call out and divert to an alternate airport?

Finally, would the paying passenger be comfortable trusting a machine with their life?

A transition to fully automated aircraft could be done very soon, the technology exist or could be developed rather quickly (certifying it, however, may take time and be *extraordinarily* costly). The time-line for introducing it is not dependent on technology, but on public perception. And that may mean "not in the foreseeable future".