European Planes May Operate with One Pilot During Cruise by 2027

European aircraft could soon see a significant change in cockpit operations, with the potential for planes to be piloted by a single pilot during the cruise portions of long-haul flights as early as 2027 or 2028. This development follows applications by major manufacturers like Airbus and Dassault to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) between 2019 and 2022, seeking approval for “extended Minimum Crew operations.”

This proposed shift aims to allow one pilot to rest while the other manages the flight during cruising, with both pilots present for takeoff and landing. Airbus advocates that this change would leverage new technological solutions to better organize pilot presence in the cockpit during long-range flights, potentially improving the balance between working and resting time for flight crews.

While EASA is examining the potential benefits of this change, particularly in terms of managing pilot fatigue, it has stated that it would be at least four years before any amendments to current safety regulations are implemented. The agency has emphasized that it will only approve these operations if they can be proven to be as safe as the current two-pilot system.

However, the proposal has met with resistance from pilot groups. The European Cockpit Association, a Brussels-based organization representing various pilot unions, has criticized the plan as a safety risk. Through their “OneMeansNone” campaign, they argue that reducing cockpit crew during flight is akin to flying a pilotless plane, suggesting that the initiative is driven more by economic benefits for manufacturers and airlines rather than genuine safety enhancements.

The pilots’ association also highlights the importance of redundancy in aviation, akin to multiple backup systems like dual engines and navigation receivers. They assert that having two pilots is a critical part of this redundancy, ensuring that if one pilot becomes incapacitated, the other can immediately take over.

Looking forward, EASA is also considering the possibility of Single Pilot Operation (SiPO), which would further reduce the cockpit crew to just one pilot per flight. This more drastic change is still under review for future consideration.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, traveltomorrow.com