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Single Pilot Operations IN Commercial Cockpits: Background, Challenges, and Options

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Abstract

There are several compelling reasons for airlines to consider single pilot operations including economic savings, coping with a shortage of pilots, and automation and artificial intelligence technology advancement. To adequately explore this concept, differing aviation industry views of single pilot operations (SPO), challenges associated with single pilot operations, an overview of current SPO research and options, and conclusions and recommendations are presented. Ultimately, many obstacles to implementation must be overcome including convincing the general public that it safe which may be the biggest challenge of all. However, SPO will continue to move forward not only due to potential commercial aviation economic benefits, but also because one day, technology will allow it and perhaps even demand it.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA

    Paul L. Myers III & Arnold W. Starr Jr

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For this article, both authors had the idea for the article, performed the literature search and data analysis, and drafted and/or critically revised the work.

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Since this article is a synopsis / analysis of previous studies to consolidate information and to derive conclusions regarding single pilot airline cockpit feasibility, no new data was created and therefore no humans or animals were studied. It is assumed that authors referenced in this article where the study of humans was involved obtained proper consent to conduct the studies since results were published as scholarly articles or are part of research for a U.S. government agency. Regarding copyright, all sources are properly referenced to give credit to the original source authors. Additionally, none of the figures or tables from the articles were directly copied for this article. However, permission was obtained for those tables re-created in the article where copyright was applicable. More specifically: Fig. 1 was developed by the authors of this article. Therefore, copyright is not applicable. Table 1 is a table created by the authors of this article to simplify and consolidate data. Data for the table was obtained from results listed in the text of the original article. References to the original article are provided in the text prior to the table, in the table heading, and in the references section. Table 2 – The authors of the original article were contacted through email and permission was granted, although Dr. Lachter, one of the original authors stated that while the article format was copyrighted, the content of the article is not. A copy of the email can be provided if desired. Table 3 – The lead original author (Neville Stanton) was contacted through email and permission was granted to use the Table. A copy of the email can be provided if desired.

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Not applicable. Since this article is a review / analysis of previous studies, no new data was created. It is assumed that authors referenced in this article where study of humans was involved obtained consent for publication if required since results were published as scholarly articles of government funded studies.

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Myers, P.L., Starr, A.W. Single Pilot Operations IN Commercial Cockpits: Background, Challenges, and Options. J Intell Robot Syst 102, 19 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-021-01371-9

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