AIRLINE pilots have protested against a study that would allow cargo planes to be operated by only one pilot with the co-pilot role re-assigned to ground control, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Unions representing nearly 50 commercial airlines' pilots have launched a protest against federal legislation to study the idea.
The F bill sets aside US$128.5 million to research the concept, along with other topics of research. The unions say remote-control flying is vulnerable to glitches and computer hackers.
'Anything less than two pilots physically in the cockpit will significantly increase risk, especially during emergency operations, when timely actions are coordinated and implemented by each crewmember based on real-time information,' said Robert Travis, president of the Independent Pilots Association.
Representatives for FedEx and Atlas Air, two of America's biggest cargo airlines, declined comment.
Unions representing nearly 50 commercial airlines' pilots have launched a protest against federal legislation to study the idea.
The F bill sets aside US$128.5 million to research the concept, along with other topics of research. The unions say remote-control flying is vulnerable to glitches and computer hackers.
'Anything less than two pilots physically in the cockpit will significantly increase risk, especially during emergency operations, when timely actions are coordinated and implemented by each crewmember based on real-time information,' said Robert Travis, president of the Independent Pilots Association.
Representatives for FedEx and Atlas Air, two of America's biggest cargo airlines, declined comment.