I am concerned to read that aircraft designers and manufacturers are thinking in terms of developing crewless airliners. Everyone knows that job-cutting, rather than flying aircraft is the airline priority, but this is absurd. Many people are still afraid to fly unless they are reassured by the voice of the captain or first officer, especially on take-off and landing when passengers can feel nervous.
Maybe Capt Speaking will be replaced by a CD and the passengers will be none the wiser, but the prospect of flying in an unmanned air vehicle does not appeal to me one bit. I still miss the days of flight engineers.
STEVEN STOTT
THORNTON HEATH, SURREY, UK
Source: Flight International
