Commercial flights have two pilots in the cockpits. However, more and more airlines are adding to the pressure to ensure that, based on technological changes, two people are not necessary.
Many regulatory bodies are embarking on the same idea, saying that this measure would result in a reduction of costs and solve difficulties caused by the lack of personnel.
At once, could bring down the price of tickets.
Of course, there are contrary ideas to what airlines think, especially from pilots and groups of passengers, who express concern about safety.
Are two pilots necessary in the cockpits of commercial airplanes?
First of all, it should be said that there are two pilots on passenger flights because it is easier to deal with emergency situations.
A single pilot may not be enough to decide in critical circumstances.
In general, in flights, one of the pilots controls and directs the aircraft and the other checks the information panels in search of problems or anomalies.
Until 1950, there were five people in the cabin.
The double command allows taking alternate breaks in cases of long flights.
And of course, in the event that a pilot has a health problem that makes it impossible for him to continue leading the destiny of the ship, the other is there to relieve him.
However, there are already 40 countries, including the UK, that are pressing for changes to the rules that require airlines to have two pilots on commercial flights.
Together, they have submitted a petition to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations body that regulates the global aviation industry and is in charge of these regulations. The request is for ICAO to help find a safe way for commercial aircraft to have a single pilot.
In parallel, in the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is also in discussion with the aircraft manufacturing companies (Boeing and Airbus) to analyze the same issue: single-pilot aircraft, publishes euronews.
According to an EASA document, these single-pilot flights could start to become a reality in 2027.
But not everyone is happy with the idea of airlines not having two pilots.
Tony Lucas, a Qantas Airways Airbus SE-A330 pilot, told Bloomberg that “the people who are deciding this obviously don’t fly jets every day.” “Problems come quickly,” he added.
According to Lucas, who is the head of the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), emergencies are so fast that there is often no time for someone else to get to the cockpit.
The most important issue being discussed is how to act in the event that a pilot becomes ill and cannot continue flying.
In response, remote assistance from ground control and automation technologies is discussed.
It is also thought that at least one of the pursers has basic piloting ideas to replace the captain in case of an emergency.
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