Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation in the Design of Single Pilot
Operations Commercial Airplanes
Authors: Ziakkas Dimitrios , Pechlivanis Konstantinos , Del Cid Flores Abner 
Published: February 2023

This research aims to present, identify, and propose the implementation
of AI technology in aviation decision-making, as well as examine how AI can
affect the transition from multi-crew to eMCO and SiPO, based on the
rationale that the single-pilot human operator having accessible data in a
timely and naturally interactive fashion could enhance natural decision
making (NDM) (Klein, 2008; Orasanu & Fischer, 1997).According to the
industrial roadmaps, the first certification of assistance for pilots is
anticipated to occur in the year 2025, and this will be followed by a
gradual transition to full autonomy sometime around the year 2035. The
progression of events in the field of commercial air transport can be broken
down into three distinct stages:•First step: crew assistance/ augmentation
(2022-2025)•Second step: human/ machine collaboration (2025-2030)•Third
step: autonomous commercial air transport (2035+)There have been identified
two different operational concepts:Extended Minimum-Crew Operations (eMCOs),
formerly known as "Reduced Crew Operations," in which single-pilot
operations are permitted during the cruise phase of the flight with a level
of safety similar to that of today's two-pilot operations (to be implemented
beginning in the year 2025).Single-Pilot Operations (SiPOs), in which, at a
later stage, end-to-end single-pilot operations might be allowed, also based
on a level of safety equivalent to today's two-pilot operations, to be
implemented as of the year 2030. Single-Pilot Operations (SiPOs), in which,
at a later stage, end-to-end single-pilot operations might be allowed.The
proposed artificial intelligence aviation decision-making research in
cockpit design and users' experience was constructed by first surveying the
current literature about Artificial Intelligence (AI). The findings point to
the difficulties artificial intelligence poses, including its limitations
and users' resistance, in shifting from multi-crew operations to e-MCO and
SiPO. This resistance to change should be considered when designing any
potential upgrades to the AI cockpit design or user interactions. However,
the existing commercially available AI technology may be ready to serve
some low-impact or non-time-critical applications (for example, weather in
destination and alternate airports update during the cruise phase) in this
transitional period to eMCOs and SiPOs, which would postpone the necessity
for a complete flight deck redesign at this time (Stanton & Harris,
2015). The utilization of AI for the administration of systems and the
retrieval of information has the potential to improve both the perception
(Level 1 SA) and comprehension (Level 2 SA) of pilots (Endsley, 1995).
Therefore, the single-pilot human operator in the NDM cockpit environment
who has data accessible promptly and in a naturally engaging fashion would
be able to make judgments that are more fulfilling and closer to optimums in
the NDM environment (Klein, 2008; Orasanu & Fischer, 1997).