Autonomous Aircrafts – Very Real and Coming Very Soon

You may be aware of the worry over autonomous vehicles and the safety concerns about not having two eyes on the road and a living person behind the wheel. Now, imagine this. Instead of cruising down the highway in a self-driving car, you’re flying 35,000 feet in the air in a pilotless aircraft. Interestingly, a recent study conducted by CNBC shows that 7 in 10 people would be willing to fly in a self-driving aircraft at some point in their lives. Okay, now we’re talking about being daring!

The aviation industry is exploring their own take on autonomous vehicles and is preparing to introduce them to the world and to the skies. With new technology, this concept could take flight sooner rather than later.

Who’s on top?

This new and exciting concept introduces a fierce competition to the forefront of the aviation industry. Various companies are fighting for their spot to be first in this new market of autonomous air taxis.

The Boeing self-flying vehicle is one of the first success stories the industry has seen, with the carrier taking off vertically and designed to hold a single passenger. This aircraft is still in the works but has been tested and completed its first flight successfully.

In addition to Boeing, we see others taking huge strides as well. Airbus’ Vahana is projected to be selling hybrid or electric passenger jets by 2035. Their version of a pilotless plane is battery-powered and can reach speeds of up to 99 miles per hour. It has a sleek and minimalistic design that makes it look like something straight out of a fantasy world. Something that sets Airbus apart from Boeing is the fact that they are geared towards the air taxi market, which means they will be making short trips on demand. This aircraft has taken well over 50 full-scale flight tests and will continue to do so until the product is ready for use.

There is a need

Boeing announces that the demand for air travel is expected to increase, calling for 800,000 new pilots to be needed over the next 20 years. There are fewer and fewer qualified pilots who can take on these new roles.

Self-flying planes and cargo vehicles are the perfect solution to this rising problem. These planes will allow for a limited pilot presence within the cockpit, which will cut the need for pilots significantly. The aviation industry will no longer have to worry about filling the many open pilot seats and they will save tremendous amounts of money over time as well.

Saker Aviation is excited about these new and exciting developments in technology and their ability to change the future of aviation altogether. Visit our services on our website to see how we contribute and fit into this always-evolving industry. And don’t worry, we have a strong staff ready to make your journey a safe and comfortable one! Feel free to contact us with any comments, questions, or flight inquiries.