Highlights:
- A cargo plane recently flew a 50-mile route with no pilot onboard, using a semi-automated system.
- The technology was developed by Reliable Robotics, an automation systems company based in California.
- The flight was remotely operated by a human pilot from a control center.
- The system could potentially address the current pilot shortage.
- Reliable Robotics is now working with the US military to apply the technology to larger aircraft.
A cargo plane successfully flew a standard 50-mile route without a pilot onboard, using a semi-automated system developed by California-based company Reliable Robotics. The flight took place earlier this month, with a Cessna 208B Caravan taking off, flying, and landing safely without a pilot inside the plane. The aircraft was remotely operated by a human pilot from a control center located 50 miles away. The technology allows the plane to be controlled remotely, preventing potential loss of control mid-flight and improving safety during take-off and landing. Signals are sent to the aircraft through encrypted satellite signals, and the pilot uses an interface similar to those used by air traffic controllers. The system does not provide real-time feedback, but rather offers a menu of options for the pilot to navigate the plane.
While some may be skeptical of automated air control, an aviation expert believes that this technology could help address the current pilot shortage. Airlines have been struggling to hire enough qualified pilots to meet the increased demand for travel post-pandemic, and the semi-automated system developed by Reliable Robotics could potentially alleviate this issue. The system still requires a real-life pilot to operate the plane, and pilots must be certified to fly the plane from the cockpit in order to use the automated system.
Reliable Robotics is now working with the US military to apply the technology to larger aircraft. By streamlining operations and allowing pilots to work from a single location, the system could potentially have a significant impact on the current pilot shortage.