Here's a full discussion about the issue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uafWhCv-Xd4
Most large commercial jets can already land themselves so if the pilot becomes incapacitated, guess what... it just lands itself. The flight attendant just hits the "autoland" button like in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiGkzgfR_c0
Aircraft will automatically change squawk to 7700, chooses safest MSA, safest routing based on XM weather, then executes full instrument approach to touchdown. Does all flap settings and landing gear at correct Vmin's. Probably better than most pilots.
Won't take much to give regional jets/props this type of ability. Would save them WAY more money to install these types of systems once vs years of whiney pilots asking for more money and less work. |