BAE Systems has begun testing technology to enable conventional aircraft to fly safely without pilots, including weather-avoidance and emergency landing systems. The firm conducted its first live test at the start of May using a Jetstream 31 passenger aircraft fitted with autonomous flight software and new cloud-detection technology to help the craft avoid and respond to bad weather. (www.theengineer.co.uk) More...
Kinda exciting, yet kinda scary! I guess it all comes down to how they use it: to aid pilots and their workload, or to eliminate pilots from the equation.
