Aviation

[SerenityNigh]

Garmin Automini.....It can either sense a pilot incapacitation by monitoring pilot inputs (or lack of) and then activate automatically, or an easily located and operated single switch - designed as such for the non pilot to be able to press in the event of a singe pilot incap. Then the technological magic takes over and saves the day. There are plenty of single pilot approved Part CAT on King Airs in the UK (with caveats on age, training and other operational requirements) - I assume the same in the US, as its generally much less regulated.

Have never heard this before

Advanced as it is, there isn't a safety case for this technology to be warranted in true multi pilot commercial aircraft. a pilot incap is obviously far far less serious when there is another one sat there. The absolute minute chance of a double pilot incap is deemed too small to justify the cost of certifying such a system.

Other than the infamous Helios crash where everyone except one cabin crew member passed out with hypoxia, I've only ever heard of a double pilot incap once.....The captain had a very sudden onset of feeling groggy in the cruise, unstrapped and was puking up at the rear of the flight deck. The first officer goes into single pilot mode and starts actioning the checklist to divert the aircraft, then during this time, the smell of the sick had drifted forwards and started to make him feel queasy....end up puking up himself. Now double pilot incap By this time the captain had come round a bit and strapped in again and takes over whilst the FO is hurling up. Couldn't write it.

Would be nice in all cases for AP to announce and perform controlled descent in the car of rapid decompression, but can't think of much else practical for two pilot operations.

 

[ADM320]

Have never heard this before



Would be nice in all cases for AP to announce and perform controlled descent in the car of rapid decompression, but can't think of much else practical for two pilot operations.

The A350 does do this already in the case of a depressurisation when there’s no pilot response within a set time. Considers the terrain too and levels off accordingly, descending further when appropriate.