Single-Pilot Airliners Might Be Closer Than You Think: Here’s Why That’s Controversial

Simple Flying

While airliners are getting more fuel-efficient and cheaper to operate, crew costs are only going one way. Airlinesnow want to enhance their profit margins through single-pilot operations. Much like when the flight engineer role became redundant, the move could save on high costs. The current idea is to develop “extended Minimum Crew Operations” (eMCO) during low-workload parts of the flight. Rather than true single-pilot flying, a two-pilot crew could rotate while one rests, meaning there is no need for a third or fourth crew member.

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