Milestone
This action involves certifying and implementing single pilot cockpit operations, enabled by the AI models validated in the Short Term. This would be restricted to initial use cases, such as long-haul flights (during cruise) or dedicated cargo routes, to build operational experience and prove safety.
This is a crucial "human-in-the-loop" stepping stone. Failure to certify this first step makes the Long-Term goal of "zero-crew" cargo operations a non-starter, as regulators and society would never accept such a large leap without this intermediate proof.
Scenario
Optimising together
Context Factor
A fully developed, certified, and deployed ecosystem of net-zero technologies, from new propulsion to full autonomy.
Timeline
Medium term
PESTEL
Validate foundational AI models for autonomous systems in the digital twin.
This involves testing and validating the core AI models for full autonomous flight control and next generation air traffic control in a purely simulated environment. This "in-silico" testing (e.g., using the new digital twin architecture) is used to prove the AI's safety and decision-making logic before it is ever connected to a real aircraft.
Read moreImplement fully autonomous ('zero-crew') cargo operations on major routes.
This action leverages the mature "reduced crew" technologies (Medium Term) to achieve the final step: fully autonomous (zero-crew) cargo operations. This involves certifying aircraft designed with no cockpit at all for dedicated use on major intercontinental routes, managed by the new autonomous ATM system.
Read moreAchieve public trust in 'reduced crew' operations via 'living lab' partnerships.
This requires a dedicated, transparent campaign to prove the safety and reliability of autonomous systems. It involves publishing all safety data from the autonomous cargo trials to prove their reliability before suggesting their use in passenger aircraft.
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