Air conditioning agency
Pilots relieved: solo operation in the cockpit too unsafe
For years, aircraft manufacturers and airlines have been working to make the double line -up in the jet’s cockpits superfluous. However, an important authority shares safety concerns of the pilots.
Transport aircraft in Europe must continue to be controlled by at least two people. The German Pilot Union Association Cockpit (VC) is facilitated by the results of a final report by the European Air Safety Agency (EASA), which lists security deficiencies during operation with only one pilot or a pilot.
The experts from the EU flight safety authority in Cologne had examined whether transport aircraft could be flew by a single person at times or even fully. They have come to the conclusion that an equivalent level of safety, as in conventional operation with two crew members, cannot be sufficiently demonstrated. They saw risks, among other things, in the event of sudden health problems, drowsiness and fatigue or double checks prescribed in the company.
Two pilots remain “gold standard”
VC President Andreas Pinheiro sees the long-term security concerns against corresponding plans of the aviation industry: “Two well-rested, qualified and trained pilots in the cockpit remain the gold standard for a safe flight.”
The knowledge would now have to flow into regulatory decisions at EU and global levels, the VC demands. The goal should never be an “economized security”. However, the pressure from manufacturers and airlines will remain. The EASA report also does not rule out further progress on the way to a “smart” cockpit with new functions for monitoring the crew and to avoid risks.
dpa
Source: Stern
