Summary
- ALPA warns against the risks of single-pilot cockpits, citing increased workload for the remaining pilot and the lack of constant monitoring and redundancy provided by the second pilot.
- Implementing eMCO would mean no direct assist in case the only pilot becomes incapacitated or has a psychological break, posing a big safety risk.
- The lack of checks and balances on a single pilot’s decision-making could compromise the protection of the aircraft, as recent incidents have demonstrated the necessity for a flight crew with multiple pilots.
In a recent edition of the the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) penned an article explaining the risks of possible single-pilot cockpits. The article was written by Captain Jason Ambrosi, the President of ALPA, Captain Otjan de Bruijn, the President of the European Cockpit Association, and Captain Amornvaj Mansumitchai, the President of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. It explains the downside of transitioning from the requirement of two pilots in a cockpit to a single pilot within the cockpit, also recognized as Prolonged Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO).
Single pilot concepts
Overall, eMCO describes the reduction of pilots required on the flight deck during normal operations. Which means that only a single pilot is required for prolonged periods of time. Specifically, just one pilot is required throughout the cruise period, while the second pilot is resting outside the flight deck. It significantly reduces the variety of pilots needed on flights, but especially for long-haul flights.
Photo: Omid Behzadpour | Shutterstock
Nevertheless, this looks to be a challenge to implement in the approaching years. Earlier this 12 months, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) officially ruled out single-pilot flights by 2030. For single-pilot regulations to be implemented, public acceptance could be needed along with approval from airlines, pilots, and regulatory bodies internationally.
Associated eMCO risks
ALPA believes that two pilots on the flight deck are absolutely essential for secure flights. Currently, airline flying is designed for a team of pilots to make sure secure operations. The organization has stated that moving from two pilots on the flight deck to at least one will increase the workload for the remaining pilot. It is going to also remove a layer of constant monitoring and redundancy that is completed by the second pilot while in flight. Switching to eMCO would mean that there could be no direct and available assist in case the only pilot becomes incapacitated or has a psychological break.
The opposite major risk is the lack of checks and balances. Your entire safety of the aircraft could be reliant on a single pilot’s decision-making with none additional input. Currently, if a change in circumstance occurs, reminiscent of weather, equipment malfunctions, or obligatory diversions, each pilots can discuss the most effective plan of action and reach a conclusion. Several incidents have occurred recently which have needed a flight crew with multiple pilots, reminiscent of a near collision at Austin-Bergstrom Airport earlier this 12 months, to make sure the protection of the aircraft.