Shovan Doley
Planes have undoubtedly revolutionized business and travel, much like a pair of magnets drawn together by an unstoppable force. A big shout out to the aviation grandfathers, the famous Wright Brothers, who jump started the legendary aeronautical journey! On December 17th, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville Wright flew his invention for the first time. It lasted for just about 12 seconds and reached a mind-boggling speed of… get this… 10 kilometres per hour!
This remarkable craft paved the way for generations of planes to come. Let me introduce the starting line-up of sky legends: the Boeing 707, the Concorde, the package carrier Airbus A300-600 and finally, the tech-savvy Airbus A350. Personally, I’m crazy about aviation- ask me anything, and I’ll answer faster than the famous F-22 Raptor reaching Mach one. My supreme pick? Definitely the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Its turbo-flex wings can handle heavy winds without any turbulence. The 787 doesn’t just fly; it grooves through the sky.
Imagine this: a commercial jetliner carrying 300 passengers is soaring through the cloudy blue skies, when, BAM, the aircraft starts to stall! The flight attendant, with no flight experience, rushes into the cockpit only to find a glowing screen displaying, “A.I error”. With no pilots and the A.I having a digital meltdown, who will stabilize the plane and save the 300 passengers? No, A.I cannot replace pilots. No robot can replicate the skill of a pilot with countless years of experience in aviation. It’s about snap decisions, gut instincts, trust in oneself and more.
It all comes down to two things: decision-making and trust. Pilots are the true heroes of the sky. They are seasoned professionals who have encountered problems such as navigating through storms, avionic failures, and, of course, the occasional flock of birds flying mindlessly into the engine. They are the original decision-makers, the ultimate survival-of-the-fittest squad.
Let’s talk about trust. Passengers trust pilots to keep them calm at 35,000 feet. They place their faith in these sky professionals, knowing their trusty pilots will guide the aircraft safely through the skies. This trust turns every routine flight into a journey of confidence and cooperation.
Even though A.I won’t be taking over the pilot’s seat anytime soon, it’s already making waves in the aviation industry. Commercial airliners are jamming with A.I, using it to streamline routes, slash carbon emissions, fine-tune operations and elevate customer service. This proves that A.I isn’t just a one-trick pony. But its best trick? Flight optimization!
A.I enhances flight paths to ensure quicker airborne commutes and keeps planes on track for their jam-packed schedules. Pretty fly, right? So, while pilots still rule the cockpit, A.I is the ultimate wingman, making sure everything runs smoothly up in the skies.
However, let’s not get carried away. A.I might be a fantastic co-pilot, but when it comes to actually flying planes, it can’t hold a candle to human pilots. The experience, decision-making and emotional intelligence that pilots bring to the table are irreplaceable. Pilots can adapt to unexpected situations, making split-second decisions, and handle emergencies with a level of intuition and empathy that A.I simply can’t match.
While A.I is revolutionizing many aspects of aviation, the future of flying will always have a human touch. Pilots aren’t going anywhere, and their expertise ensures that every flight is safe, efficient and, most importantly, human.
So, you’re wondering what kind of superhero training pilots have that A.I just can’t match? Well, fasten your seatbelts, because holding the yoke isn’t just a walk in the park! First up, trainees have to pass an aviation medical examination certified by their country’s aviation authority. Then comes flight school, where you become part scientist, part engineer, part weather guru, and a full-time pilot. Pilots are basically weather visionaries. And hey, even if you don’t become a pilot, you’ve got countless other options!
During flight training, trainees also fly planes in various simulators, practicing emergency scenarios like engine failure and avionic malfunctions. After basic flight training and mastering the art of not crashing, they can apply for a PPL (Private Pilot License). Just a little short of earning money, though. After this comprehensive task, they have to gain multiple ratings- think of it as levelling up in a video game. First, there’s the IR (Instrument Rating), where pilots learn to fly using instruments in poor visibility. Then comes the MER (Multi-Engine Rating), where pilots train on multi-engine aircrafts for more career opportunities. After logging 250 hours of flight time, pilots can apply for the CPL (Commercial Pilot License. BOOM, they can finally get paid for these airborne adventures!
So, while A.I might be a fantastic co-pilot, it’s the human pilots with the superhero training, quick decision-making, and emotional intelligence that truly make the skies safe and sound.
The writer ‘Shovan Doley’ is a 7th Grade student at Ridhhima’s Academy.
