European planes could be operating with only one pilot at the controls as soon as 2027, if moves by aircraft manufacturers are successful. To take a stand against this, European pilots led by the European Cockpit Association (ECA) have launched a new website: OneMeansNone.eu. The platform aims to inform passengers about the significant safety risks associated with reducing crew from two pilots to one. 

Captain Otjan de Bruijn, ECA President, said: “One pilot in the cockpit during an extensive period of a flight is a gamble with the safety of our 200 to 400 passengers in the back of the plane and those on the ground. Pilots do not just fly a plane – we monitor each other and all flight aspects, manage aircraft automation and swiftly address any safety, security or operational risks in a very complex and fast-changing environment. As a pilot, I am convinced that single pilot flights are an inherently dangerous concept driven solely by the commercial interests of manufacturers and airlines.”  

Having two pilots at the controls of a large commercial plane is not just an operational necessity but is also mandated by regulation and industry standards. Aviation authorities worldwide stipulate crew composition standards for commercial flights. But at least two manufacturers, Airbus and Dassault, are actively pursuing the elimination of one pilot from the flight deck during the cruise phase. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is currently evaluating the safety implications of the proposal for “extended Minimum Crew Operations” (eMCO) submitted by those manufacturers. If approved, it would lead to one pilot leaving the flight deck for several hours during the cruise phase of the flight, while the other remains at the controls. 

The purpose of “One Means None” The website, “One Means None,” details the vital roles that two pilots play in ensuring safe operations, particularly during unforeseen emergencies and complex situations. The purpose of the website is to emphasize several key safety arguments:  Complex Task Management: Flying an aircraft involves numerous tasks and decision-making processes that are best managed by two qualified professionals.   Cross-checking and Mutual Support: Two pilots provide essential backup for each other, ensuring that if one pilot is incapacitated or overwhelmed, the other can take over.  Emergency Response: In crisis situations, having two pilots in the cockpit allows for an effective and coordinated response, ensuring the overall safety of the flight.  Even if the technological advancements and automation have contributed to improving flight safety and efficiency over the last decades, human oversight of these failure-prone systems remains paramount. Two pilots are indispensable not only in averting crises and ensuring optimal outcomes in emergency situations but also during normal operations. While replacing pilots with automation could possibly increase aviation manufacturers’ profits, it will not make flights any cheaper or safer for passengers.  Pilots Unite for Safer Skies  Pilots remain at the forefront of the action for flight safety – a petition in the Netherlands has gained almost 50,000 signatures while pilots across France and Italy have demonstrated at airports. Thousands of pilots worldwide expressed their opposition to removing pilots from the flight deck through a coordinated global campaign on World Pilots’ Day. The launch of the website supports a global movement against Reduced Crew Operations, supported by European Pilots, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations and the biggest Pilot union in the US – Air Line Pilots Association.  

About ECA: The European Cockpit Association (ECA) is the voice of European pilots within the European Union. It represents over 40,000 pilots from national pilot associations across 33 European states, with 3 Associate Members. ECA advocates for enhancing aviation safety and promotes social rights and quality employment for pilots in Europe.

Visit www.onemeansnone.eu to learn more about the risks of single-pilot flights