Mxsmanic wrote in
news
Richard Riley writes:

It is perfectly capable of flying an entire mission, from engine
start, to cruise flight, to touchdown and engine stop, autonomously.

That does not surprise me. I recall reading about proof-of-concept
studies along these lines when I was a kid, and I'm sure the field
hasn't stood still since then. The principle is pretty
straightforward, although the devil is in the details, as usual.

In the US, at least, we are required to have a set of mark 1 pilot
eyeballs on it at all times to maintain separation. And the pilot
has to have a class 2 medical and a commercial certificate.

So the pilot is a regulatory requirement ... not a technical one.

Visual separation is only needed because other aircraft in the area
are not autonomous and in communication with yours. But imagine, say,
Class A airspace in which all aircraft are similarly equipped.
Nothing up there but other aircraft of the same breed, and no
obstacles or terrain. It would be much easier to fully automate
things there. Later, it could be automated at lower altitudes and in
different flight phases.

Unfortunately, this implies either severe restrictions on small GA
aircraft, or extremely expensive upgrades to those aircraft to make
them compatible with automated aircraft. The other option--making
autonomous unmanned aircraft capable of maintaining visual
separation--is probably not feasible technically and economically.

Already, RVSM requires autopilots.

And you don't even know why.


bertie