Airbus thinks about ‘video control’ for pilots by moving cockpit

Airbus is studying whether it can let pilots control an aircraft via screens and move the cockpit to the luggage compartment or the rear of the aircraft. This should allow for a more aerodynamic design.

The aircraft manufacturer has registered its plans in a US patent. Airbus has two possible locations in mind where a cockpit could be placed: in the luggage compartment or at the tail of the aircraft at the back. The two pilots in the cockpit, who according to a sketch have to sit behind each other in a limited space, should be able to see all around via a large screen. For this, cameras would have to be placed in the nose of the aircraft.

Airbus wants to achieve with the patent that future aircraft can have a more aerodynamic design by moving the traditional cockpit. This can lead to less air resistance and thus to lower fuel consumption. This would save airlines money.

The big question is whether an aircraft with such an aircraft design will ever be built. Not only is the chance of public resistance considerable, Airbus would also have to demonstrate that such a design, in which an aircraft is actually controlled like a drone, is sufficiently safe.

Airbus is already working on a cockpit where the windows have a special coating to block the dazzling light from handheld lasers. In addition, the nanomaterial used must be able to block the specific wavelengths of laser light.