Was talking with a pilot friend the other day and asked him, "would you set foot on a plane with no pilot?" The answer of course was no. But one day we may all have to make the choice. The future of aviation (and a lot of other industries) is moving toward less human intervention. Pilot-less aircraft are already being tested between California and Australia. No paying passengers yet, but it's only a matter of time. If you've been to a major airport like Dallas-Fort Worth, you've probably already ridden on pilot-less trains.
We've had UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) for years, but so far they've been confined to the defense sector. But, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that skyrocketing personnel costs are the major drag on airline bottom lines.
Pilots will be in good company, though. It's likely that air traffic control will become largely automated before we see robot planes. Matter of fact, there is even technology available that would allow airplanes to separate themselves. Add to that totally automated aviation weather forecasting, and you have the perfect trifecta.
Wonder if all the UAVs will interfere with those flying cars we were promised?
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