The prospect of air traffic management (ATM) functions being transferred to the cockpit concerns me (Flight International, 12-18 October). The job of pilots is to fly the aircraft and keep a good look-out, not manage the progress of other flights. If there is an in-flight emergency, the first priority of the crew is to deal with that, so what happens to the ATM then? The skills involved in being a commercial or private pilot are different from those required to be an air traffic controller. Let us keep the tower and avoid an increase in cockpit workload.
STEVEN STOTT
THORNTON HEATH, SURREY, UK
Source: Flight International
