It eliminates pilot error from the list of risks. But, if it’s unmanned, who pushes the drinks trolley?
Frazer Mackay, Glasgow
A lot has to be done to retain passenger confidence. In most situations it will be fine, but what happens when something goes wrong? This is where the pilot
earns their money.
Crawford Murray, West Sussex
If the safety has been assessed, and the risks shown to be acceptable, then I have no fears. If I take my engineering hat off and ask ‘would I get on a plane without a pilot?’ the answer is no.
Gary Lock, Dorking, Surrey
No. There should be no fears about this if the normal rules of assessment and checks are followed, ensuring the safety of the flights. Cars can travel driverless. It is only a matter of time before pilotless aircraft become the norm.
Colin Sanderson, Stonehaven
I thought that most aircraft flew under computer control these days. This is just the next step, removing one of the variables. But designers should watch the 1974 movie Dark Star before endowing planes with too much artificial intelligence.
Martin Roberts-Jones, Eastleigh
The real concern I would have would be the landing. This is the most tricky part of any flight. As long as that was conducted at a non-public runway that is not in a densely populated city then I think it is OK.
Peter Inglis, Dundee
Having been involved with automatic train operation since it was introduced on the London Underground in the 1960s, knowing its hardware reliability and the dependency on software for safety, it fills me with horror that automatic unguided systems are being let loose in our skies.
Geoff Miles, Tonbridge, Kent
Not at all. Industry has a great deal of experience with unmanned aerial vehicles. Also the regulations for aviation airworthiness and certification are strict.
Fiona Neads, Marchington, Staffs
Providing that control is maintained with a human interface back to air traffic control there should not be an issue. If the aircraft is totally autonomous then I would be concerned, as BAE will have created a long-range missile.
Keith Dunnett, Aberdeen
Driverless trains have operated for many years without problems, but the safety systems to manage a failure are well developed. Drones seem to be managed effectively as well, but the consequences of a catastrophic failure with an aeroplane are several orders of magnitude greater. With the possibility of computer hacking into control systems, I am very uneasy.
Richard Lindop, Duffield, Derbys
We have the technology to send craft to Mars and beyond; we drive dune buggies around Mars; do we not trust ourselves to make the final step here on earth? We are a nation of innovators and adventurers. Where is that spirit now?
David Maclean, Bower Hinton
I have reservations about the security of the control link. Even with digital communications systems, a strong wideband signal can destroy the fidelity of the signals. What happens then?
Fred Bunce, Gloucester
There are huge safety benefits from removing the pilot from the process when he/she can introduce many human errors. Not that many years ago aircraft had three in the cockpit – two pilots and a flight engineer. Existing technology has already removed the engineer.
Graham Robinson, Cumbria
It’s not the unmanned vehicles that are unsafe, it’s the people who operate them. We have the same if not worse dilemma on our roads with driverless cars. It’s the interaction of unpredictable humans with autonomous systems that is the real challenge.
Glyn Norris, Bristol
No. The Docklands Light Railway seemed fine... Can a land-based human pilot take over wirelessly if need be? That would be good.
Ben Zabell, Abingdon
I don’t think this idea will take off. Would I fly in one? No. If the pilot is on board he has a vested interest in keeping the aircraft in the air. Not the same incentive if he has his feet up in his living room!
Gerard Buffham, High Wycombe
Yes. This country is much too densely populated to allow such practice. BAE Systems should test its unmanned aircraft in less populated areas of the globe.
Joachim Neff, Dundee
As long as we don’t start taking pilots out of planes, I’m not concerned. Even having humans in the cockpit sadly doesn’t stop aircraft colliding. However, I was always told that the best instrument in the cockpit is the Mk I eyeball.
Ken Gray, Hitchin
You wouldn’t get me on an unmanned flight for any money.
John McFarlane, Uddingston
No. But don’t tell Ryanair or they’ll start charging extra for a pilot!
John Ovenden, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire