Steve Nordlund Indicates Technology Is Being Developed At A 'Good Speed'

Technology under development by Boeing could lead to single-pilot airliners, according to company vice president Steve Nordlund.

The Boeing executive said in an interview with the U.K. newspaper The Independent that autonomous technology that could lead to a reduction in required crew is being developed at a "good speed", and that the company is "working on those technologies every day."

But Nordlund said such a change would not come quickly. What passengers might see is more automation "aiding in the cockpit" and "maybe a change in the crew number up in the cockpit."

Nordlund told the paper that the technology would likely first be tested in cargo jets, but reducing crew requirements in passenger planes makes "business sense." He said such advancements could help alleviate the looming pilot shortage, which some have suggested could reach a deficit of more than 200,000 pilots in the next ten years.

But it is not known if such a move would be accepted by governments, airlines or passengers. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger has said in the past that "Having only one pilot in any commercial aircraft flies in the face of evidence and logic. Every safety protocol we have is predicated on having two pilots work seamlessly together as an expert team cross-checking and backing each other up."

Nordlund said that passenger concerns, whether justified or not, would certainly be a consideration for airlines.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report