Believe me Ding, it's being discussed right now. The technology is there. The military has said they have already built their last manned fighter jet.
The 'first step' is going to be in the cargo industry. Fed Ex and UPS are already looking at it.
You see, boxes don't care if there's no human pilots up front, and if things do go wrong, and the plane crashes, nobody dies, except the unfortunate ones in the neighborhood where it comes down! The ONLY reason the pax industry hasn't looked too closely at it...YET...is they don't think anyone would buy tickets on unmanned jets, but I believe as soon as the cargo industry
Proves
the technology is safe, the airlines will be next.
Luckily (for me) I'll be retired by then...I hope!
I would not want to be 19 years old, trying to become an Airline Pilot today.
But relax, your job is next.
The kids in China can do everything we Americans (and Europeans) can do, faster, better, and for 10 cents on the dollar, or less. I've been flying a lot of Shanghai lately, it is stunning how far, and how quickly, they have come in terms of manufacturing and technology.
But at least they out number us about 10 to 1, so we've got that supply and demand thing going for us...
Oh, wait.
I've been running from the outsourcing axe for the last 12 years, I'm the master of being the hero and being invisible.
With the inevitable lag in comms protocols, those flying things will need to be smart.. How much lost money before pilots are back?
Bring back the space program. Go to Mars. That will bring back the advantage of innovation to the western part of the economy.
I've been trying to outsource my job since 04'......
I say bring on the chinese kids with remotes. I can tell you one thing, I am never getting onto a commercial liner if they take humans outta the loop. The only thing dumber than a person, is a god damn machine.
Oh, and we're just taking another step towards SkyNet taking control.
Then again, I'd maybe give commercial flying a try if I could do it like this:
The FAA is looking to ban FPV RC stuff.... I better spend some money quick, because I want one of these badly.
Great... You're walking that thin line between good...and evil...
All that RC stuff is for pussies! If you really want to fly, try this...
http:/
Great... You're walking that thin line between good...and evil...
Yep and it's exhausting.
That was pretty neet, Pete. And here's something completely off topic, a 'new idea' on using wind for power, and since that's really what sailing is, I thought some of you might find this interesting:
http:/
The first models I saw were just kites...
Check this out, some Continental Pilots put this together about 10 years ago, but it's still pretty funny, and more relevant today!
http:/