Is there a pilot on the plane? The answer might very soon be no.
After self-driving cars, commercial unmanned aircraft might be flying overhead as early as the next decade, reports Forbes. While autonomous aircraft have been used by the US military for decades, several manufacturers are working to extend the concept to all civil aviation.
Several members of the airline industry estimate that small unmanned planes might carry passengers by 2035, or even as early as 2030.
Before that milestone is reached, autonomous cargo planes might share the same airspace as passenger planes as early as 2025. And estimates suggest that large commercial flights might take off unmanned by 2040. .
The anticipated take-off of autonomous commercial aviation
– 2023 : Several manufacturers are working with the Federal Aviation Administration to certify unmanned passenger aircraft.
– 2025 to 2026 : The first autonomous cargo planes would share the sky with commercial flights.
– 2030 to 2035 : Small unmanned planes would begin carrying passengers over short distances on domestic flights.
– 2040 to 2050 : Larger autonomous commercial planes would soar above our heads
Airlines, hard hit financially by the pandemic, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of self-driving commercial flights. According to a study by the Swiss bank UBS, the airline industry might save more than 48 billion Canadian dollars per year.
If carriers and airlines are ready to move forward with autonomous civil aircraft, this technology is viewed with suspicion by the various unions representing pilots.
On the other hand, several passengers seem worried regarding getting on an autonomous plane. According to a survey commissioned by theAir Lines Pilots Associationwhich represents 65,000 members, 81% of Americans would not be comfortable boarding an unmanned flight.
