ALPA’s New White Paper Underscores the Dangers of Reduced-Crew Operations

By Corey Kuhn, Contributing Writer

“Schedule with Safety” has been ALPA’s guiding principle since its founding in 1931. For more than nine decades, ALPA members have worked to ensure that any measures or changes designed to improve the efficiency and economy of the North American air transportation system be accomplished without compromising safety. No one knows better than airline pilots that having at least two fully qualified and well-rested crewmembers on the flight deck is the best guarantee of safety.

Today’s incredibly safe air transport system is the result of a strong regulatory framework built over time, paired with the airline industry’s focus on a culture of safety. Yet even though highly skilled pilots are the most important safety feature on every flight, some industry interests continue to explore ways to reduce the number of pilots on the flight deck in an effort to cut costs.

In 2019, after fighting back attempts to add language into the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to establish a research and development program in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft assisted with remote piloting and computer piloting, the Association released its white paper titled “The Dangers of Single-Pilot Operations.” The document affirmed the Association’s position regarding maintaining the role of—and recognizing the importance of—having at least two experienced, well-trained, and well-rested pilots on the flight deck at all times.

But rather than acknowledging the importance of flightcrew members, some are once again trying to increase profits by cutting safety and eliminating pilots from the flight deck altogether. Due to these renewed efforts, in June ALPA produced an updated white paper, “A Gamble with Safety: Reduced-Crew Operations,” to ensure that the public remains informed about the continually evolving discussions related to single-pilot operations. “Since its founding in 1931, the Air Line Pilots Association, International has been committed to advancing the cause of safety, and as technology advances in our industry, pilots remain the ultimate force for safety in the skies. This white paper reinforces the well-established fact that pilots cannot be replaced through advances in technology—they are the most important safety feature on every airline flight, regardless of whether it is carrying passengers or cargo,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president.

The Association conducted an extensive review of new research, policy changes, and technological developments since 2019 to inform its continued engagement on this issue. While some would argue that progress has been made toward single-pilot operations becoming technically feasible, most would find that progress isn’t a substitute for the well-established safety regulations requiring at least two qualified pilots present on the flight deck at all times.

Investing in reduced-crew operations (RCO) would displace other potential investments that would benefit all aviation stakeholders—including pilots, passengers, airlines, and air transport companies—and implementing RCO would compromise safety. Current aircraft automation, when it functions properly, can reduce a flight crew’s shared workload, but it’s only a tool to assist flightcrew members, who remain responsible for the safe outcome of every flight. Two pilots on the flight deck of every airliner, with their exceptional and uniquely human ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances, remain irreplaceable despite advances in technology.

In the new white paper, ALPA underscores the technical barriers that currently block the widespread implementation of autonomous decision-making and health monitoring that must be addressed for single-pilot operations. While automation and technological advancements will continue to help enhance safety and operational efficiency, these enhancements should support—not replace—pilots in the performance of their duties. The data and facts presented in “A Gamble with Safety” undeniably support ALPA’s stance that reducing or eliminating pilots from an airline flight deck is a dangerous idea.

The updated white paper also gives an overview of the global airline industry regulatory landscape. While the FAA has helped shape the current North American regulatory environment and create an exceptional standard of safety, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has been working with EU aircraft manufacturer Airbus to establish criteria for developing various RCO schemes, including extended minimum crew operations on A350s and single-pilot operations on specific aircraft, with an eye toward eliminating two-pilot flight decks.

Today, U.S. federal aviation regulations governing the airline industry are clear: At least two pilots must be present on the flight deck of large passenger and cargo transport aircraft. They also require the presence of additional flightcrew members to maintain pilot alertness on long-haul flights and to achieve the necessary functionality and safety required of aircraft designs to obtain certification for operation.

Using real-life examples of how two pilots have averted catastrophe, “A Gamble with Safety” highlights that in the complex, highly dynamic, and often unpredictable airline environment, there’s no replacement for having two pilots on the flight deck, no matter how sophisticated the technology, especially when that technology malfunctions or fails, requiring human oversight and intervention.

The push to reduce the number of flightdeck crewmembers is primarily motivated by economic considerations, which unquestionably compromise the well-established safety practices that have made air travel the safest mode of transportation in the world. Passengers and cargo shippers trust that their flights are being managed by two professional pilots who, working as a team, can respond effectively to abnormal events and emergencies when they arise. Undermining that trust and safety record for the sake of profit would likely have detrimental effects on the industry.

ALPA remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the highest safety standards and urges industry stakeholders, regulators, and the public at large to reject the concept of RCO and continue to support the presence of at least two highly trained, experienced, and well-rested pilots on every flight. By doing so, the air transportation system will remain safe and reliable for generations to come.

This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of Air Line Pilot.