Florian Guillermet Acknowledges Importance of Two Pilots Amid Push for Automation

European Aviation Safety Chief Florian Guillermet recently demonstrated support for not letting technology push pilots from the cockpit. This comes during a surge of autonomous devices that could potentially launch single-pilot operations (SiPO), causing widespread safety concerns.

As of now, EASA is actively evaluating the concept of Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), which would allow single-pilot operations for specific flight phases with enhanced automation.

Research projects funded by EASA, such as the eMCO-SiPO initiative, are working to develop safety risk assessments and evaluate the feasibility of reducing the number of pilots in large aircraft while maintaining safety standards?. The concept of single-pilot operations has not yet gained full support due to concerns over increased workload for the remaining pilot, the elimination of critical backup, and the potential risks in emergency situations.

Despite EASA’s movement towards eMCO, the agency’s Executive Director Florian Guillermet has acknowledged the importance of maintaining safety in the cockpit.

“What we are dealing with are actually enhancements in terms of functionalities of the cockpit, which we believe can bring additional safety benefits ... but without challenging the fact that we need two pilots to conduct a flight,” Guillermet stated. “So, the point is not to change the concept of operation ... We will ensure that those technologies can be certified and reach the cockpit, but within the way cockpits are being operated.”

eMCO revolves around utilizing advanced technology, such as increased automation, to allow aircraft to operate with just one pilot under specific conditions. The goal is to assess whether modern systems, such as enhanced autopilot and other automated systems, can reduce the workload for pilots while still ensuring that the highest safety standards are upheld.

The concepts of SiPO and eMCO are fundamentally different. SiPO envisions complete single-pilot operations, possibly relying on technologies such as remote second-pilot support or autonomous systems to manage flight tasks. eMCO, however, allows for reduced crew under strict conditions without necessarily cutting down to a single pilot for all flight phases.

FMI: www.easa.europa.eu/en