Kikapu wrote:Surely the pilot in command, the captain has more than 1500 hours and is well certified to fly the equipment he/she is assigned to do so. The lack of first officers flight time and experience not being adequate but still allowed to occupy the right seat adds credibility that we have already unofficially moved to one pilot flights. The inexperienced second pilot is just a “window dressing” for the flying public.
On another related story that was in the news very recently where an Airbus 350 had a successful fully automated take off, however, there were still two pilots in the cockpit but were completely hands off once they had taxied the aircraft and aligned it to the center line on the runway. From then on, the aircraft did what it needed to do to airborne by automation only.
Single piloting will become official sooner rather than later, because of pilot shortages, as well as being cheaper for the airlines. This will become the precursor to the eventual of no pilot, but a very skilled technical person on board just to monitor the flight’s computers in about 20-30 years.
Yes the PIC should have way more than 1500 hours. 1500 hours not enough to become Captain but some airlines are upgrading pilots to the left seat with such low time.
Most reputable companies that employ low time pilots (nearly all airlines employ low time pilots these days) have what is called a NO GREEN ON GREEN pilot rostering procedure meaning that low time pilots are to only be rostered on with supervisory captains.
But in the case of Ethiopian and Lion Air, both pilots were inexperienced and poorly trained. From memory, the Captain of Ethiopian wasn't what I would call experienced.
In the old days, it would take 10 to 15 years and some 7000 to 15000 hours of flying to get upgraded. Still is the case at Emirates, QANTAS and Cathay.
Now, I am sorry but I would feel very uncomfortable with an automated take off. Many companies will forbid that. Pilots must have hands on the controls and throttles at all times.
Our company even forbids automated instrument approaches. To rely on all the technology is just unprofessional, lazy and asking for trouble. I would caution against such complacency. One failure, and everyone onboard can kiss their lives good bye. You only have a split second to respond. that is how finite the window of opportunity is. Hence why we do a dozen V1 cuts in the sim.
Single pilot will never be allowed in our lifetimes. Not for Regular Public Transport anyway. It is already forbidden under the regulations in all countries and signatories of ICAO and there is buckley's chance that law will be withdrawn anytime soon. It won't happen.
Regulators and Governments around the world are against it.
It might be allowed in the Airwork Freight category but not for passenger services. Boeing know this as well with their impending B797.
(having survived crossing 2000 miles of Outback. 
