THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT LONGER THAN CARS.

But aviation analyst Doiron believes the many years that would be required to get autonomous systems approved and in operation means the technology won’t solve the growing pilot shortage problem any time soon.

However, the biggest challenge is getting passengers to match the industry’s enthusiasm.

The UBS report published last August suggested that public perception of autonomous aircraft has long way to go, with only 17 per cent of those surveyed saying they were open to taking a pilotless flight.

Although autopilot is now used for all but a few minutes on most flights, passengers still place their faith in the presence of trained pilots in the cockpit.

“What makes a good pilot is judgment in critical situations, something an autopilot can’t replace,” said flight training provider CAE Inc. spokeswoman Pascale Alpha, adding that pilotless commercial planes will take time to develop and gain public acceptance.

Capt. Dan Adamus, president of the Air Line Pilots Association in Canada, said pilots have embraced technology but are irreplaceable to address problems that can arise with even the most advanced computer systems.

“We’re nowhere even close to a point where we believe passengers are willing to trade safety for a cheaper aviation system,” he said.

However, artificial intelligencebased avionics systems will eventually be capable of responding to all possible flight scenarios, said Tim Risen of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Public acceptance will also come as unmanned drones are increasingly used for law enforcement and monitoring of agriculture, natural resources and wild fires, Risen added.

“As long as the safety record holds up ... people will start to understand that this technology works as advertised.”

In addition to a lack of public acceptance, the transition to autonomous planes could be delayed by lengthy regulatory approvals and required changes to air traffic control.

Transport Canada said discussions about this emerging technology are “in their early stages.”

Millennials are less negative about the idea than older people but no group of Americans is positive about pilotless flights, said Stephen Rice, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who has conducted research on autonomous commercial flights.

“The airline industry is going to take a lot longer than the cars but I cannot see a future without it.”