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<div id='article-page'><div id='article-content' data-media-url='//news-app-staging.s3.amazonaws.com' data-base-url='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/pilot_audio.m4a' data-capture-url='//staging.analytics.lingraphica.com/events/capture_news' data-article-title='Are We Safer Without Pilots in the Cockpit?' data-article-id='307'><script src='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/javascripts/getscripts.js'></script><link rel='stylesheet' href='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/stylesheets/article.css' type='text/css' /><div class='article'><p><span data-start-time='0' data-end-time='9542'>Last month, 150 people were killed when Germanwings Flight 9525 crashed in the French Alps. </span> <span data-start-time='9542' data-end-time='16063'>Officials say the co-pilot flew the airplane directly into a mountain on purpose.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='16063' data-end-time='24750'>Now, experts wonder if possibly removing pilots from planes would improve airline safety. </span> <span data-start-time='24750' data-end-time='35292'>Some suggest, at the very least, letting officials on the ground take control of a plane if a pilot is acting strangely in the cockpit.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='35292' data-end-time='41854'>But airplane industry experts warn that the technology has many problems. </span> <span data-start-time='41854' data-end-time='50688'>And they say the tragic crash of the Germanwings flight was an anomaly -- an extremely unlikely event. </span> <span data-start-time='50688' data-end-time='58063'>Each year, more than three billion people around the world take about 34 million flights. </span> <span data-start-time='58063' data-end-time='66708'>Fewer than 10 crashes over the past 30 years were purposely caused by commercial airline pilots.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='66708' data-end-time='72063'>Patrick Smith was a commercial airline pilot for 25 years. </span> <span data-start-time='72063' data-end-time='76000'>He wrote a book called Cockpit Confidential.'' </span> <span data-start-time='76000' data-end-time='83917'>He says that even the newest airplanes would need costly re-engineering of their major systems. </span> <span data-start-time='83917' data-end-time='92854'>He says there are also concerns over terrorists taking control of the communications link and hijacking the plane.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='92854' data-end-time='100042'>The United States military already has pilots operating drone aircraft remotely. </span> <span data-start-time='100042' data-end-time='107063'>The pilots are usually based far away from the drones, even on the other side of the Earth. </span> <span data-start-time='107063' data-end-time='113083'>But some experts worry about doing the same for passenger aircraft.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='113083' data-end-time='117813'>Mary Cummings is a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot. </span> <span data-start-time='117813' data-end-time='123563'>She now works as a professor at Duke University in North Carolina. </span> <span data-start-time='123563' data-end-time='141542'>In her words, “the real reason a person wants another human in the cockpit is because they want to believe there's somebody in the front who shares their own fate and thus if anything goes wrong, they will do everything they can to save their own lives.''</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='141542' data-end-time='150417'>She and other experts believe cargo planes will be the first aircraft to fly over the U.S. without pilots. </span> <span data-start-time='150417' data-end-time='159063'>They say big cargo companies would go from two pilots to one, with a team of pilots assisting from the ground. </span> <span data-start-time='159063' data-end-time='165333'>Then, all operations would be done by flight specialists on the ground.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='165333' data-end-time='171083'>Airlines would save money on pilot training, pay and retirement costs. </span> <span data-start-time='171083' data-end-time='175646'>They also would save on hotel and travel costs. </span> <span data-start-time='175646' data-end-time='186000'>In addition, ground-based pilots would be able to have normal eight-hour work days, even if their plane is in the air for 12 hours. </span> <span data-start-time='186000' data-end-time='192917'>Ms. Cummings says these changes could take place in 10 or 15 years.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='192917' data-end-time='198000'>Pilots are getting further and further removed from their aircraft. </span> <span data-start-time='198000' data-end-time='204542'>Most aircraft movements other than takeoff and landing are already automated. </span> <span data-start-time='204542' data-end-time='208667'>They are done with the help of computers and other machines. </span> <span data-start-time='208667' data-end-time='219083'>When pilots want to change a flight path, they program the new directions into the plane's computer instead of making the turns themselves.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='219083' data-end-time='226000'>Aircraft manufacturer Airbus is experimenting with the idea of a windowless cockpit. </span> <span data-start-time='226000' data-end-time='236396'>The company is testing a system of cameras and video monitors that would give pilots a wider, more-detailed look at their surroundings.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='236396' data-end-time='242396'>Todd Humphreys teaches aerospace engineering at the University of Texas. </span> <span data-start-time='242396' data-end-time='252292'>He says it would not be hard to go one step further and have the pilots watching those same monitors from a room on the ground.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='252292' data-end-time='263875'>Anything you can control with knobs or buttons, without getting out of your seat, can be done equally well or even better on the ground,'' he says.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='263875' data-end-time='273854'>Professor Humphreys argues that pilots on the ground would not have to deal with jetlag or even the dehydration that comes after long flights.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='273854' data-end-time='283708'>In his words, “pilots do not often face extreme challenges” and might not be able to deal with an emergency if it happens.</span> <span data-start-time='283708' data-end-time='293313'>Instead, he suggests having a team of airplane specialists in the room with all the remote pilots who could assist with any emergency.</span> <span data-start-time='293313' data-end-time='298438'>He says this would reduce the number of mistakes by pilots.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='298438' data-end-time='301417'>But many pilots disagree. </span> <span data-start-time='301417' data-end-time='306542'>They say that often pilots must make split-second decisions.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='306542' data-end-time='311729'>In the end, the final decision may come down to passengers.</span> <span data-start-time='311729' data-end-time='319313'>Are travelers more worried about a pilot killing them or stepping onto a plane without a pilot?</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='319313' data-end-time='321333'>I’m Jonathan Evans.</span> </p></div><div class='control-buttons-sticky' style='display:none;'><div class='control-buttons'><button title='Back' class='back' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Play' class='play' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Pause' class='pause' style='display:none;'></button><button title='Forward' class='forward' disabled='disabled'></button><button class='finished-reading' style='display:none;'>Done</button></div></div></div><div id='article-media'><div id='media-image'><img src='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/pilot_image.jpg'/></div></div><div id='question-content' style='display:none;'><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=1869 data-hint-location='301417' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/what_does_splitsecond_mean.m4a'>What does split-second mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='done very quickly'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/to_examine.m4a'><span>to examine</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/the_area_where_the_pilot_sits.m4a'><span>the area where the pilot sits</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/to_use_machines.m4a'><span>to use machines</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/done_very_quickly.m4a'><span>done very quickly</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=1870 data-hint-location='24750' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/what_does_cockpit_mean.m4a'>What does cockpit mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='the area where the pilot sits'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/to_examine.m4a'><span>to examine</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/the_area_where_the_pilot_sits.m4a'><span>the area where the pilot sits</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/to_use_machines.m4a'><span>to use machines</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/done_very_quickly.m4a'><span>done very quickly</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=1871 data-hint-location='198000' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/what_does_automate_mean.m4a'>What does automate mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='to operate something by using machines or computers'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/to_examine.m4a'><span>to examine</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/the_area_where_the_pilot_sits.m4a'><span>the area where the pilot sits</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/to_operate_something_by_using_machines_or_computers.m4a'><span>to operate something by using machines or computers</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/done_very_quickly.m4a'><span>done very quickly</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=1872 data-hint-location='198000' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/what_part_of_flying_is_already_automated.m4a'>What part of flying is already automated?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='take off'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/take_off.m4a'><span>take off</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/turbulence.m4a'><span>turbulence</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/safety_checks.m4a'><span>safety checks</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/the_entire_trip.m4a'><span>the entire trip</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=1873 data-hint-location='150417' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/where_would_the_flight_specialist_be_if_the_plane_flies_without_a_pilot.m4a'>Where would the flight specialist be if the plane flies without a pilot?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='on the ground'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/the_airport.m4a'><span>the airport</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/they_wont_exist.m4a'><span>they won't exist</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/the_cockpit.m4a'><span>the cockpit</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/on_the_ground.m4a'><span>on the ground</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=1874 data-hint-location='141542' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/what_type_of_aircraft_will_most_likely_be_the_first_to_fly_without_a_pilot.m4a'>What type of aircraft will most likely be the first to fly without a pilot?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='cargo planes'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/passenger_planes.m4a'><span>passenger planes</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/private_jets.m4a'><span>private jets</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/cargo_planes.m4a'><span>cargo planes</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/commercial_planes.m4a'><span>commercial planes</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=1875 data-hint-location='41854' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/the_germanwings_flight_was_an__blank_.m4a'>The Germanwings flight was an <span class='blank'>anomaly</span>.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='anomaly'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/anomaly.m4a'><span>anomaly</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/accident.m4a'><span>accident</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/exception.m4a'><span>exception</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/event.m4a'><span>event</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=1876 data-hint-location='24750' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/some_suggest_letting_officials_on_the_ground_take__blank__of_the_plane.m4a'>Some suggest letting officials on the ground take <span class='blank'>control</span> of the plane.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='control'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/caution.m4a'><span>caution</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/responsibility.m4a'><span>responsibility</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/care.m4a'><span>care</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/control.m4a'><span>control</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=1877 data-hint-location='9542' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/officials_say_the_copilot_in_the_germanwings_flight_9525__blank__the_plane_on_purpose.m4a'>Officials say the co-pilot in the Germanwings Flight 9525 <span class='blank'>crashed</span> the plane on purpose.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='crashed'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/delayed.m4a'><span>delayed</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/landed.m4a'><span>landed</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/crashed.m4a'><span>crashed</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/78/saved.m4a'><span>saved</span></div></div></div><div class='question-buttons'><button class='skip-button'></button><button class='hint-button'></button><button class='speak-button'></button></div></div></div>
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