Aviation Safety And SiPO (Single Pilot Operations) … Here’s What You Need To Know.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has ruled out allowing solo flying by a single pilot by 2030, but is considering allowing limited single-person operation for parts of flights as early as 2027. The regulator is only considering allowing limited single-person operation for parts of flights (cruise), starting as early as 2027.

1. The proposal includes restrictions, such as pilots with medical conditions or insufficient flight hours being barred from solo flying.
2. The idea of solo flying is causing a divide among airlines and raising public fears.
3. Pilot groups, such as the European Cockpit Association, are speaking out against the idea of solo flying.
4. The Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada are aware of the position that two pilots on the flight deck is the safest option.
5. Air France's CEO has stated that single-pilot operations are not a priority.
6. Consumer resistance could result in single-pilot flying starting with cargo flights instead of passenger flights.
7. The concept of single-pilot flights needs approval from the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization, individual airlines, and their pilot unions.
8. Only the most advanced and equipped planes, such as Airbus A350s, would be considered for solo flying in cruise.
9. Safety concerns need to be proven before reducing long-haul crews from three or four pilots to two.

SiPO considerations:

1. Pilot Workload: Ensure that the workload of the solo pilot during the flight's cruise phase is acceptable in normal, abnormal, and emergency situations.
2. Error Tolerance: Design the cockpit in a way that minimizes errors and allows for error tolerance, keeping in mind that with a single pilot, there's no chance for cross-checking actions.
3. Pilot Fitness: Monitor the fitness of the single pilot during the cruise phase to ensure they remain fit to fly and maintain an acceptable level of safety in case of incapacitation.
4. Fatigue Management: Ensure that the level of fatigue experienced by the single pilot is no worse than with a conventional two-pilot operation.
5. Sleep Inertia Recovery: Ensure the aircraft and operation environment are resilient enough to allow the resting pilot to recover from sleep inertia and take command of the aircraft or assist the pilot-flying in an emergency scenario.
6. Attend to Physiological Needs: Allow the single pilot to take breaks as needed to attend to their physiological needs while maintaining an acceptable level of safety and security during a single-pilot segment of the flight.

Alternatives to SiPO;

1.??????A remote crew member

A remote crew member can provide additional support, but they will only have access to limited information that has been transferred and could potentially be incorrect. The level and consistency of communication and exchange with the remote crew member is uncertain, and it may take them valuable time to fully understand the situation, particularly if they are managing multiple aircraft simultaneously.

Having a second crew member stationed remotely could compromise the effectiveness of crew resource management and coordination. The existing requirements and standards for CRM would need to be revised and retrained to accommodate this new setup.

2.??????AI to enhance human capabilities instead of substituting them

The European Cockpit Association (ECA) supports the integration of AI in air transport, but not at the cost of eliminating one of the pilots in the cockpit. The combination of two pilots and AI is believed to enhance safety, while reducing the number of pilots to one and relying solely on AI could pose threats to safety. In recent years, there have been instances where technology has compromised safety and it was only through the coordinated efforts of a crew that disasters were avoided.

Aircraft manufacturers and some regulators believe that the technology is ready for single-pilot operations, but the ECA questions why this technology is not used to enhance safety within the two-pilot cockpit. Until automation technology can achieve a level of safety that is equal to or higher than the current level of safety with two professional pilots, the reduction of pilots should not be considered.

Humans are a significant safety resource, and computers, while they may perform certain tasks better, can only be as good as their system design. By removing the human pilot, a significant safety resource is lost, as humans can compensate for system failures, bridge technology gaps, and adapt to unanticipated situations in real-time. The risk of system-related threats also increases with the reduction of human input.

In conclusion, the debate surrounding Single Pilot Operations (SiPO) continues as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) considers allowing limited single-person operation for parts of flights starting as early as 2027. The idea of solo flying has sparked a divide among airlines and raised public concerns, with pilot groups such as the European Cockpit Association speaking out against it. The Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada maintain that the safest option is having two pilots on the flight deck. Alternatives to SiPO, such as a remote crew member or the integration of AI to enhance human capabilities, have their own unique challenges and limitations.

As the ECA says, "Humans are a significant safety resource." The role of technology in aviation safety is not to replace human pilots but to enhance their capabilities. Until automation technology can achieve a level of safety that is equal to or higher than the current level of safety with two professional pilots, the reduction of pilots should not be considered.

In the words of Air France's CEO, "Single-pilot operations are not a priority." The concept of single-pilot flights requires approval from the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization, individual airlines, and their pilot unions, and the safety concerns must be proven before reducing long-haul crews from three or four pilots to two.

So, to wrap it up, the future of aviation safety is yet to be determined, and it's up to industry experts, regulators, and the public to come together to ensure that any changes prioritize the safety of passengers and crew. And as a famous pilot once said, "Flying may not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price."