According to Reuters, Cathay Pacific Airways is currently working with Airbus on Project Connect, a plan to introduce “reduced crew” long-haul flights with a single pilot in the cockpit much of the time. Though Cathay has not given a final go-ahead to the single-pilot idea, the airline hopes to introduce it during high-altitude cruise on passenger flights by 2025. “Once cleared, longer flights would become possible with a pair of pilots alternating rest breaks, instead of the three or four currently needed to maintain at least two in the cockpit.” EASA chief Patrick Ky told a German press briefing in January, “Typically on long-haul flights when you’re at cruise altitude there’s very little happening in the cockpit.” Famously, Air France 447 was in level cruise flight at night when the two pilots of the A330 lost control of the airplane. That accident claimed 228 lives.
Cathay Pacific Aims for a Single Pilot in the A350 Cockpit During Long Hauls
Key Takeaways:
- Cathay Pacific and Airbus are collaborating on "Project Connect" to introduce single-pilot operations during long-haul cruise flights by 2025, primarily to reduce airline costs.
- The initiative faces significant challenges, including the need for extensive testing, regulatory approval, and overcoming strong opposition from labor unions concerned about safety.
- The proposal has raised safety concerns, with critics contrasting the idea that "very little happens" at cruise altitude with past accidents where pilots lost control during similar conditions.
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