What if your fellow aircrew member was a ROBO?

What if your fellow aircrew member was a ROBO?

ASOG 2019 Focus Areas: Trending Technology

If you’ve been tracking aviation news this month (see links below), the USAF conducted its first test of a Robot Pilot (ROBOPilot). From a manned aircraft Airborne Sensor Operator (ASO) perspective (the operator in the back of the aircraft), WHAT IF your fellow crewmember the pilot was a ROBOPilot:

• Would you fly in this configuration?

• What would be different, i.e., what would be different regarding responsibilities, CRM, managing dynamic re-taskings, emergencies etc.?

Article: Air Force Research Laboratory successfully conducts first flight of ROBOpilot Unmanned Air Platform

Video: ROBOPilot First Flight 

 

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Comments

  • Hi Darryl, it’s great to see you on the net! I agree with your points. The reason I posted this piece (just my forward-thinking-thoughts) is that somehow/someway, someone (decision maker) is going to get the idea of just putting a ROBO at the controls of their already paid for fully equipped multi-mission aircraft to maximize efficiency. So, if that happens, how do we as a profession participate in this next tech evolution wave regarding safety, efficiency and effectiveness. Again, that was my thoughts for posting. Fire away with your comments!

  • I don't think that I could do it.  That would be an awful lot of skin in the game.  Part of having a pilot on board is to handle emergencies, and there are an entirely different set issues that can result on a remotely piloted aircraft.

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