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For instance, currently the law says that any use of UAVs in civil airspace must be preceded by a detailed flight plan 30 days in advance of the scheduled flight. Some advocates of UAVs, including the U.S. military and aeronautical manufacturers, want to change this to allow flights on the same day a flight plan is filed -- just as with traditional aircraft (Graham-Rowe, 2003). The legitimate fear is that a change in this law would pave the way for UAV freight flights and, eventually, UAV passenger flights. Those in the aviation industry concerned with the safety of passengers recognize that such a move could put many people's lives in danger.
One major safety concern has already been mentioned: the lack of sophisticated detection and avoidance technology for UAVs that allow them to be adaptable to changing conditions. Another is that UAVs rely on radio or satellite links to computer or human controllers, links that could be disrupted and result in a crash or collision (Use of pilotless planes, 2006). These are the major technical issues facing the use of UAVs in passenger applications. More than that, however, is the extreme cost that would be associated with implementing potential technology in passenger aircraft. With the high cost, it is difficult to imagine why airlines would even consider replacing already reliable human pilots. and, of course, even if the technology could be proven to be safe and an appropriate justification found, it would be an uphill battle to say the least to convince he flying public to entrust their lives to computers, no matter how sophisticated (There's nobody, 2002).
In short, UAVs are an unproven technology...
The possibility of using this technology in civil airspace represents an unnecessary risk to other aircraft that cannot be justified. The suggestion that UAVs be used as passenger aircraft is similarly and extremely reckless.
References
Eng, P. (n.d.). Plotting pilotless possibilities. Eclipse Aviation. Retrieved April 8, 2007, at http://www.eclipseaviation.com/index.php?option=com_newsroom&task=viewarticle&id=505&Itemid=51
Fitchett, J. (1996, September 2). Will pilotless aircraft rule the skies? International Herald Tribune. Retrieved April 8, 2007, at http://www.iht.com/articles/1996/09/02/future.t.php
Graham-Rowe, D. (2003, June). Safety fears over pilotless planes. New Scientist. Retrieved April 8, 2007, at http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3868
Marks, P. (2006, November 28). Airliner flown 'without pilot' in UAV test. New Scientist. Retrieved April 8, 2007, at http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn10675-airliner-flown-without-pilot-in-uav-test.html
UK Ministry of Defence. (2007, April 5). Pilot-less passenger jet flown remotely by RAF in world first. Defense News. Retrieved April 8, 2007, at http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/airforce/Pilot-less_Passenger_Jet_Flown_Remotely_by_RAF_in_World_First100011255.php
Use of pilotless planes may be on the rise. (2006, March 29). MSNBC. Retrieved April 8, 2007, at http://www.msnbc.com/msn/com/id/12070612
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