The British government is currently supporting the testing of unmanned civilian aircraft for commercial flights. The first test flight is set to take place with a Jetstream propeller plane from Warton airport in Lancashire, England to Scotland. While unmanned drones have been used in military operations for years, this marks a significant step towards the use of unmanned passenger planes in public air travel. The technology will be adapted for civilian aviation through a series of test flights, with 77 million euros in research funding from the British government and seven European aerospace companies.
The initial test flights will have pilots in the cockpit to intervene in case of technical issues, but the ultimate goal is to have the planes operate without human intervention. This could allow pilots to control multiple planes from the ground, ensuring safe and efficient travel for passengers. However, it is estimated that it will take at least 30 years before unmanned passenger planes become a common sight in the skies.
The use of unmanned aircraft in commercial air travel has the potential to revolutionize the industry, but it will require extensive testing and development to ensure safety and reliability. The support of the British government and aerospace companies is a promising sign for the future of unmanned passenger planes, but there are still many challenges to overcome before they become a reality.
