Single-Pilot Flight Operations Concept Paused by EASA

The concept of single-pilot flight operations, especially in the context of large commercial aircraft, has been put on hold for the time being, as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has recommended waiting for more advanced technology and advanced research before granting its approval. 

The report stated: “With the current cockpit design taken as a reference, and within the limits of the research, it was identified that an equivalent level of safety between one-pilot crew operations and the current two-crew operations cannot be sufficiently demonstrated.” 

The conclusion has come as little surprise, as EASA had already indicated in the January 2025 edition of its European Plan for Aviation Safety that modifications to the cockpit would be necessary to support any new concept of single-pilot operations. 

EASA’s priority in this area is the development of a 'smart cockpit', which could later serve as the foundation for new operational parameters. Some of the key factors to keep in mind include novel workload alleviation functions; monitoring flight crew performance, alertness, and incapacitation monitoring; and solutions to mitigate security threats. 

The report further added “However, any consideration of this will depend on the new technologies proving their safety benefit which will require detailed assessment on the basis of data and experience gained in normal two-pilot operations.”