Airbus is testing a system that can land automatically without the help of pilots

Airbus has started the final three months of the test phase of DragonFly, a system that allows much more automation in the cockpit. For example, the system can assist pilots during taxiing and automated landing when the pilots are disabled.

If the pilots of a passenger aircraft are incapacitated for whatever reason or at least can no longer fly the aircraft, the Dragonfly system can independently and safely land the aircraft, said Airbus. An Automated Emergency Ops application is activated, which determines in an unexplained manner that help is needed.

The most suitable airport is then selected, taking into account weather conditions and military situations, after which the most suitable route is chosen. This involves automatic communication with air traffic control, among others. This allows Dragonfly to land an aircraft safely at any airport, regardless of whether the airport has the usual systems to assist with a landing.

The system can also help pilots land in difficult weather conditions where visibility is poor. To this end, the aircraft is equipped with unspecified sensors that improve the view of the runway, to which computer vision algorithms and calculations for guidance should also contribute.

Dragonfly also includes an application that helps pilots taxi at busy airports. If air traffic control gives clearance for departure, the system displays a map of the airport, and also interprets and translates air traffic control instructions into automated voice prompts to facilitate taxiing. According to Airbus, this means that pilots can focus more on other important tasks.

The system is currently being tested on the ground and in the air on an Airbus A350. The last three months of the test phase have now started. Based on this, a decision will be made whether to further update the technology or whether it may be ready to eventually be integrated into future programs. It is therefore still unclear whether the system will actually be integrated into future A350s or other passenger aircraft, which parts these will be and when this will have to take place.