Capt. Ambrosi: Planes Don’t Fly Themselves — And They Never Should

Some of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers seem convinced that adding new technologies and increasing automation will allow airlines to reduce the number of pilots on the flight deck. For them, it is a question of when, not if.

Despite the misconception that planes largely fly themselves, they can’t. Autopilot on commercial flights is simply a tool designed to assist pilots, not completely replace their training and experience.

As these manufacturers push to advance technology on the flight deck, there is a red line that must not be crossed: any effort that removes pilots from the controls.