Airbus' Dragonfly Project Pushes Boundaries of Autonomous Flight
Airbus' Dragonfly project is pushing the boundaries of autonomous flight in air traffic. Discussions are underway to explore the extent to which such capabilities can be implemented. Meanwhile, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is investigating reduced crew operations, while the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opposes such reductions.
The Dragonfly project is testing Emergency Autoland-like capabilities on a modified A350-1000. This aims to improve safety by providing an additional safety net in case of crew incapacitation. Airbus has already certified the A350F for operation with only one pilot during cruise flight, a concept known as Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO).
However, the future cockpit's crew composition remains a topic of debate. While some advocate for fewer pilots due to intelligent assistance systems, others like Jennifer Homendy, head of the US NTSB, oppose reducing crew members. Pilot associations have also raised concerns about the many unanswered questions surrounding eMCO's introduction.
NASA has suggested a shift in perspective, highlighting the crew's role in preventing accidents rather than focusing solely on human error. As Airbus continues to develop autonomous flight controls, it is crucial for flight crews to acquire and maintain essential system knowledge and competencies to safely manage and oversee these advanced systems.
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