Would YOU trust a robot to fly a plane? Airliner tests A1 machine to replace co-pilot

SCIENTISTS are working to replace the second human pilot in an airplane with ‘genius’ ROBOTS.

By REBECCA PERRING

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Scientists are creating robots to replace the co-pilot

Both the military and airlines struggle with shortages of trained pilots - but now Aurora Flight Sciences has developed an A1 machine with spindly metal tubes and rods to replace arms and legs to the job. 

Company CEO, John Langford said: "It's like having a co-pilot with 600.000 hours of experience - a genius co-pilot.

“The robot can do everything a human can do.” 

It's like having a co-pilot with 600.000 hours of experience - a genius co-pilot

John Langford, Aurora Flight Sciences CEO

The robot co-pilots will never tire, get bored or become distracted. 

Researchers carried out the test from Manassas, Virginia in October and the human pilot was able to talk with the robot co-pilot through a tablet. 

The A1 machine is able to predict adverse weather conditions and deal with takeoffs and landings.

Experts say the innovation will bring positive elements for airline companies including eliminating human error that causes accidents and reducing the number of pilots in half. 

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Pilots have raised safety fears

The idea is to have the robot free the human pilot of a heavy workload, especially in emergencies and demanding situations. 

However passengers and pilots argue a robot does not guarantee safety and they could be vulnerable to hackers. 

Today, the autopilot is on nearly the entire time the plane is in the air. 

Airline pilots do most of the flying for brief minutes during take offs and landings - but even in the critical phase of flights, it is handled by the autopilot. 

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