Single-pilot passenger planes could soon take to the skies, says Boeing

Boeing is actively working on technology that would remove the need for two pilots in the cockpits of its passenger jets. Existing European aviation rules state that passenger planes with more than 20 seats must have a minimum of two pilots in the cockpit. But Steve Nordlund, a VP at Boeing, said autonomous technology that would allow for a reduction in on-board crew was being developed at a “good speed”. He said Boeing “believes in autonomous flight and self-piloted aircraft” and the firm's commercial aircraft division was “working on those technologies today”. “I don't think you'll see a pilotless aircraft of a 737 in the near future,” he said. “But what you may see is more automation and aiding in the cockpit, maybe a change in the crew number up in the cockpit.” He suggested cargo jets could be the first to trial the technology but that it made “business sense” to pursue a reduction in the number of on-board crew on passenger planes, too. “A combination of safety, economics and technology all have to converge, and I think we are starting to see that.” It would also address a chronic shortage of pilots which analysts have said could reach more than 200,000 over the next decade.<br/>