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FedEx feeder plane takes flight without pilot in test for Reliable Robotics

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Re: FedEx feeder plane takes flight without pilot in test for Reliable Robotics

#181

Post by kgermino »

marcosdumay wrote: post #143
kgermino wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Also, the take-off being easier, it's not conceivable that a machine couldn't do it. The reason there is no such machine today is exactly because it's easier, so pilots never need any help. I don't think it's just that take off is easier, but that it's also more dangerous than landing. If something happens during take-off and the computer needs help, it needs the pilot to step in quickly so you don't have time to d…

> If something happens during take-off and the computer needs help, it needs the pilot to step in quickly so you don't have time to do a computer -> person hand-off. The same happens at landing, but the airplane is moving faster.

Yes, but faster is usually better in this case.

Over simplifying, there are a lot of situations during take-off and landing where stopping isn't an option. During landing, the extra speed helps you take-off and try again (go around) with minimal risk. A computer can pretty easily handle "something's weird, TOGO and have the pilot take over." Take-off doesn't have that safety margin.

Re: FedEx feeder plane takes flight without pilot in test for Reliable Robotics

#182

Post by moof2k »

marcosdumay wrote: post #39
oliveshell wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, maintaining straight and level flight— i.e., not falling out of the sky— is the easiest part of flying an airplane. Computers have been good at that for a while; in fact, that’s how airline flights are controlled these days during basically all of cruise flight (by autopilot). Takeoff and landing are the tricky parts. (I say this as someone who’s firmly on the skeptical side of the spectrum regarding the…

There are landing procedures where the pilot simply follows the machine instructions for a long while already. And it works perfectly well where it's available. Also, the take-off being easier, it's not conceivable that a machine couldn't do it. The reason there is no such machine today is exactly because it's easier, so pilots never need any help. Instead, the hard part isn't flying. it's all the things an airplane…

Takeoff is relatively straightforward: planes "want" to fly. Deciding if, when and how you should abort a takeoff is less straightforward.
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