BRUSSELS — The necessity for two pilots in passenger airplane cockpits is facing scrutiny due to advancements in technology, raising concerns among pilots and their unions.
This pushback is beginning to yield results.
On Tuesday, the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) released its latest update of the European Plan for Aviation Safety, outlining safety priorities while identifying associated risks and mitigation strategies.
In this document, EASA has tempered its previous openness to single-pilot operations, introducing additional regulatory barriers.
“EASA has refined its rulemaking agenda to emphasize that our first focus will be on evaluating the development and implementation of advanced cockpit technologies,” stated EASA spokesperson Janet Northcote.
Single pilot operations do not imply having just one pilot in command for the entire flight. Instead, it would allow one pilot to take a break while the aircraft is cruising, with another pilot at the controls.
For this to become viable, aircraft manufacturers must ensure that the technology meets safety standards, and EASA would need to authorize single-pilot operations, referred to as extended minimum crew operations (eMCOs).
Aircraft equipped for eMCO would attract many airlines, which currently require two pilots to remain in the cockpit throughout the flight. For longer flights that exceed one pilot’s shift, four pilots are typically needed.
In the latest update, EASA announced plans to conduct a study evaluating the effects of “new advanced flight deck technologies” and to propose a regulatory framework that guarantees the safe integration of smart cockpits into commercial air transport operations.
This introduces a new regulatory phase before considering single-pilot operations.
While a previous rulemaking initiative initiated by EASA in 2023 sought to establish guidelines for the “safe implementation of eMCO,” the recent announcement from the agency focuses solely on the smart cockpit concept.
EASA clarified that this shift is part of its commitment to ensuring safety remains the top priority.
“In November last year, EASA reiterated its position on eMCO to ensure all stakeholders understand that safety must be enhanced by any modifications to cockpit operations,” Northcote emphasized.
EASA’s cautious approach towards single-pilot operations has emerged following the appointment of Florian Guillermet as executive director of the EU agency in April. He succeeded Luc Tytgat, who served as acting executive director for seven months, and Patrick Ky, who had been a strong advocate for single-pilot operations during his decade-long tenure.
Concerns from Pilots
However, pilots remain unconvinced by EASA’s new direction.
“Under previous leadership, the agency seemed to favor enabling single pilot operations, aligning too closely with industry interests,” remarked Tanja Harter, president of the European Cockpit Association pilots union.
“The concept of flying with only one pilot during cruise is still being discussed,” she added. “Manufacturers and certain airlines will continue to advocate for this, but regulators must prioritize safety above all.”
The drive for single-pilot capabilities primarily stems from Europe, where Airbus, a leading manufacturer in the sector, is developing autonomous flight technologies alongside other companies like Dassault.
Unions are pushing back, cautioning that reducing the number of pilots could jeopardize safety.
“Can you manage two emergencies simultaneously?” questions a recent union advertisement, depicting a flight deck without a pilot.
The unexpected death of a Turkish Airlines pilot during a flight from Seattle to Istanbul in October highlighted the critical role of having additional crew members to ensure the aircraft lands safely.
