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Why there may soon be only one pilot on aeroplanes

Airlines will soon have a single pilot in the cockpit.!

Why there may soon be only one pilot on aeroplanes

Airlines and regulators predict that one pilot will take the place of two in the cockpit of passenger jets. Although it would lower costs and ease pressure from crew shortages, some individuals find it unsettling to give one person such authority.

More than 40 countries, including Germany, the UK, and New Zealand, have approached the United Nations organization that sets aviation rules to request aid in bringing single-pilot aircraft into the mainstream. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has been creating standards for solo flights in addition to working with aircraft makers to comprehend how they would operate. EASA estimates that such services could start in 2027.

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In the early 1950s, the majority of aircraft that operated longer flights used to have a crew of four, consisting of two pilots, one navigator, and an additional flight engineer. This crew’s responsibilities were crucial for the safety of the flight. However, as technology advanced, it began to quickly replace the duties of the additional crew members on the aircraft. The load on the pilots decreased as the aircraft’s instrumentation gradually improved improvements.

Since they fly in connection with the ground and satellites and with the coordination of all flight plans, airplanes are currently becoming more advanced. This makes it possible for aircraft to fly safely and be tracked. As oil costs rise, things will get worse. The effects of the impending pilot shortage would be lessened by single-pilot operations. The amount of air travel keeps growing tremendously. According to a 2018 assessment by the International Civil Aviation Organization and consulting, the world will need to train 5,50,000 more pilots by the year 2037. Around 2025, Oliver Wyman predicts a shortage of 35,000 workers or nearly 10% of the entire workforce.

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Why are airlines pushing for a single pilot?

The pilot’s unions are one important issue that has a significant impact on airlines, along with the challenge of educating and retaining more pilots, as well as the remuneration of pilots, which is another important consideration for airlines.

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Airlines continuously update their pilots’ knowledge of the safe operation and routine tasks. As long as the expense of automation and the new upkeep of ground operators does not end up costing more, single pilot operations will result in cost savings for airlines. The size and amenities of the cockpit will be reduced to some extent. According to the analysis, the decision to use one pilot rather than two represents a significant cost-saving advance. According to the Swiss financial organization UBS, cutting the number of pilots from two to one would allow airlines it studied to save $15 billion, and a completely automated jet would yield an additional $20 billion.

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In order to prevent pilot tiredness, some airlines are required to conduct long-haul flights with a third pilot who can switch to the cockpit controls as necessary. Cathay Pacific asked Airbus to develop a technology that can eliminate the need for a third pilot on lengthy flights. Airbus is developing an autonomous system for the A350-1000 aircraft to reduce the need for a pilot in the cockpit. In 2018, it exhibited the capacity to pilot an aircraft with both flying and auto Descent from the cockpit capabilities.

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What do pilots think of the concept of a single pilot?

Obviously, the pilot union is opposed to the idea of having only one pilot in the cockpit. They made several reasonable points regarding the advantages of having two pilots in the cockpit for airlines.

Airlines that transport 100 passengers rely solely on their pilots, who are also responsible for ensuring that all safety-related procedures are followed. They cannot be saved from the extreme conditions of aircraft operations by any other means. To operate a plane, two pilots are required.

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According to ALPA, airline pilots must be able to maintain control of an aircraft in a constantly changing and dynamic environment. We regularly carry out the required tasks: communicate with air traffic control, review the present conditions and forecasts, and monitor the operation of the engines and systems. But airline pilots also need to be able to handle the unexpected safely. The list of potential, yet unforeseeable, incidents are almost unlimited and includes things like a cargo compartment fire, a medical emergency, and disruptive passengers.

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There are numerous instances of how having two pilots in the cockpit significantly improves safety, from the well-known “Miracle on the Hudson” in 2009 to the successful safe landing of Southwest Flight 1380 in April. However, despite these obvious examples, some are working to have them removed.

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A single-pilot operation would have to complete all routine and unforeseen jobs without assistance, much as a driver in a snowstorm doing everything at once while driving: He or she may also be texting, using a GPS, checking the speedometer, and fuel gauge, and engine temperature, as well as taking a math test and speaking with their supervisor.

The Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s insertion of this risky clause into the House FAA reauthorization measure without discussion or debate has prompted ALPA to act promptly to defend aviation safety.

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The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations told ICAO in a report for its assembly last month. Diverse pilot associations around the world are opposed to aircraft having a single crew.

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How is technology evolving to make a single pilot a reality?

Flying is all about gliding an airplane with the aid of an engine, but with autopilot, all tasks are performed by machines rather than pilots, and pilotless operations are entirely dependent on sensors that calibrate environmental conditions and give flight commands.

further, According to NASA, a skilled pilot on the ground could manage several missions at once. If the pilot became incapacitated, he might even be able to assume full control of the plane. Additionally, this pilot might focus on a certain airport. These possibilities have been tested on specialized ground-based simulators.

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Although the idea has not yet been demonstrated, an uncontrolled aircraft may be flown by the ground pilot with the use of satellite networking during an emergency while the ATC provides help.

By delegating additional jobs to computers, the first step would be to dramatically expand automation in the cockpit. Some tasks will need to be transferred simultaneously from the cockpit to the ground support crew. Unmanned aerial aircraft are already equipped with a variety of ground control methods (UAV). It is obvious that switching to a single-crew airliner will result in significant operating cost savings, but it is also necessary to maintain safety standards that are comparable to those of traditional two-pilot commercial operations.

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Airbus demonstrated this in June 2020. Airbus has successfully completed its Autonomous Taxi, Take-Off and Landing (ATTOL) project after a lengthy two-year flight test program.

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Through fully automatic vision-based flight testing employing onboard image recognition technology, Airbus has successfully completed this project and achieved autonomous taxiing, take-off, and landing of a commercial aircraft a first in aviation. Over 500 test flights were completed in all. About 450 of the flights were used to collect unprocessed video data in order to assist and improve algorithms. Airbus link 

The single pilot concept will first be implemented in the cargo flight. Additionally, it will be added to business aircraft, and later on, It will be implemented gradually in larger jets.

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Comment here and let us know what you think of the one crew-operating aircraft.

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He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons – Air Marshal GS Bedi’s Perspective

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons - Air Marshal GS Bedi's Perspective

Air Marshal GS Bedi, a renowned fighter jet pilot and experienced crew member, recently participated in a YouTube interview with Def Talks hosted by Aadi. During the interview, he provided insights into the recent Tejas aircraft crash in Rajasthan, which marks one of the first crashes involving an aircraft from the Tejas family since its production commenced 20 years ago.

Numerous questions have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the Tejas aircraft crash and the potential causes of failure. Air Marshal Bedi adeptly addressed these concerns by outlining possible scenarios that could have led to the crash. His expertise shed light on the complexities involved in such incidents and provided valuable perspective on the aviation community’s understanding of the event.

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At the outset, Tejas lacked a simulator and a trainer aircraft for initial training. However, pilots were provided with simulation trials before flying the Tejas aircraft. Initial reviews indicated stability during flight, with the aircraft maintaining a straight glide. However, there was an incident where the aircraft experienced an engine malfunction, prompting the pilot to eject safely.

Pilot Safe Ejections

The decision to eject was made as a precautionary measure, considering the aircraft’s low altitude and steep descent angle. With the aircraft’s altitude dropping rapidly, attempting to balance and land it was deemed too risky. Ejecting ensured the pilot’s safety, as deploying a parachute at such low altitudes could have been disastrous.

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He chose to eject to ensure a safer distance from the ground. The aircraft is at an angle of less than 3 degrees during the approach. At a height of 100 meters, the aircraft is nearly 20 times its length away from the ground. This means the touchdown point will be approximately 4 kilometers ahead.

However, as the altitude decreases, the approach becomes too short due to the rapid descent rate. Consequently, the pilot opts to eject rather than attempt to stabilize the aircraft for a ground landing. If he had not ejected, there’s a high probability that his parachute would have deployed at that low altitude.

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LCA Tejas engine Issue

Investigations revealed the engine malfunction was likely due to lubrication issues or other technical faults. Such split-second decisions underscore the potentially catastrophic outcomes that can result from technical failures.

The pilot involved was highly experienced and well-trained for airshow displays, suggesting timely decision-making. Nevertheless, accidents can stem from technical glitches, human errors, or unforeseen circumstances like bird strikes.

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Air Marshal Bedi emphasized the importance of pilots being trained for emergency situations, including ejecting from the aircraft when control is lost. Despite advancements in technology, technical issues remain unpredictable, necessitating ongoing learning and improvements in aircraft systems.

Today, the Tejas mk1A aircraft completed its inaugural flight at the Bangalore station, marking the dawn of a new, advanced version of the Tejas aircraft. This iteration boasts enhanced avionics and improved aircraft structure.

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Aerospace

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China consistently keeps aviation enthusiasts surprised with its advancements in fighter jets and other aircraft. Leading the pack in Asia, China continuously pushes boundaries in developing domestically-built aircraft.

Recently, images circulating on the internet reveal China’s latest creation, the Z-21 helicopter. Resembling its predecessor, the Z-10, this helicopter boasts enhanced fighter capabilities. The emergence of these images sparks questions regarding the fate of plans to acquire Russian-made Ka-52K attack helicopters, particularly the naval version.

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Observing the helicopter in flight, it shares design elements with the Harbin Z-10, notably in the front fuselage and cockpit canopy. The wing stubs for weapon mounts exhibit similar shapes, though with less pronounced angular features. With a tandem seating arrangement, the Z-21 also draws comparisons to the Mil Mi-28, featuring an elongated body with five rotor blades and weapon bays on its sides.

The unveiling of the Z-21 has triggered speculation about its potential role in future military operations. Analysts suggest that beyond its firepower, its introduction could signal significant technological advancements. There’s particular interest in whether China will incorporate a ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ system akin to later Apache models, enabling the Z-21 to control armed drones for reconnaissance and attacks, reducing risks to the helicopter itself.

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The emergence of the Z-21 underscores China’s increasing military prowess and its commitment to developing cutting-edge weaponry. Its deployment and capabilities will be closely monitored, especially concerning regional security dynamics.

The helicopter presents a significant challenge to American-built Apache and other medium helicopters, boasting superior capacity for flying at higher altitudes and more powerful speed and combat capabilities, thus enhancing its effectiveness on the battlefield. On the other hand, amidst ongoing Indian border tensions, this aircraft is poised to play a crucial role in surveillance along the sensitive China border and beyond.

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Qantas Airbus A330 Makes Safe Landing After Engine Blowout

Woman spends tortuous three months trying to resolve huge Qantas errors

A Qantas Airbus A330 Aircraft, flight number QF781, has landed safely without incident in
Perth after the passengers on the Perth-bound flight reported hearing a ‘loud bang’ from one
side of the twin-engined plane engine. The Airbus A330 aircraft made a priority landing at
Perth Airport around 9:37pm local time on 25 March, arriving approximately 52 minutes
behind schedule.


Upon landing, emergency services met with the aircraft on the tarmac. However, the aircraft
taxied to the gate without assistance, with the passengers disembarking normally.
The ‘loud bang’ heard by passengers happened due to a mid-air engine blowout, therefore
resulting in the pilots having to manually shut off the affected engine, together with
requesting a priority landing into Perth Airport. Qantas also added in a statement that the
Airbus A330 aircraft was designed to operate with one engine too.

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Qantas QF781 is a daily scheduled flight from Melbourne to Perth, utilising the Airbus A330
on the route. The Aircraft in question is VH-EBA, an approximately 21 years aircraft,
equipped with 2 GE CF6 engines according to airfleets.net. The Airbus A330 have been a
frequent regional workhorse in Qantas’ fleet, connecting major australian cities with major
destinations within Asia. the Airbus A330 is also used on high-density domestic routes,
similar to QF781, from Melbourne to Perth.

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Engine Issues – Should you be concerned?


While engine issues are highly uncommon due to the stringent checks and quality control on
each component within the engine, there might still be exceptional occasions where such
incidents happen. However, while recognising the risks of dual engines, Aircraft
Manufacturers and Organisations have actually came up with standards so as to ensure that
an aircraft can also land on a single engine, similar to what we saw on QF781.


One of the most well known standard is Extended-range Twin-engine Operations
Performance Standards (ETOPS) which is an acronym for twin-engine operation in an
airspace further than one hour from a diversion airport at a designated one engine
inoperable speed. This ensures that twin-engined aircraft could safely operate routes over
water or remote land without an alternative airport near the flight path, which once required
aircraft with 3 or 4 engines to fly on that route.

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In this case, the Airbus A330 has been certified to fly ‘Beyond ETOPS 180’, and have
received ETOPS 240 certification, which is a certification to enable the twin-engined aircraft
to fly for up to a maximum of 240 minutes with 1 engine inoperative in a cruise condition.
Currently, most twin-engined widebody aircraft in operation would generally have an ETOPS
certification of at least ETOPS 180, with the new Airbus A321LR also having ETOPS 180
certification, therefore enabling the narrowbody to fly long haul flights.

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Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has announced his resignation amidst the ongoing 737 MAX crisis, signaling a significant top management shakeup at the aerospace giant.

While Calhoun will continue leading the company until the end of 2024, his decision comes amid mounting pressure following a series of setbacks, including the recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight. This departure coincides with the retirement of Boeing Commercial President and CEO Stan Deal, who is succeeded by Stephanie Pope, the current Chief Operating Officer.

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The announcement, made by Larry Kellner, boeing products chairman, outlines a broader restructuring within the company’s leadership. Steve Mollenkopf, a Boeing director since 2020 and former CEO of Qualcomm, will take over as chairman and lead the board in selecting a new CEO. This strategic move comes at a critical juncture as boeing airplanes
faces intense regulatory scrutiny and production constraints due to safety and quality issues.

The market’s initial response to the news was positive, with Boeing’s shares rising by 2 percent before regular trading. However, the boeing aircraft company stock had experienced a significant decline earlier in the year, reflecting investor concerns about boeing distribution aviall the ongoing challenges and uncertainties surrounding the 737 MAX program.

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Calhoun stressed the company’s commitment to transparency, safety, and quality in a letter to employees.“We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company,” he said.

“The eyes of the world are on us, and I know we will come through this moment a better company, building on all the learnings we accumulated as we worked together to rebuild Boeing over the last number of years.”

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