Aurora’s robot co-pilot lands simulated Boeing 737

Aurora Flying Sciences’ Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) reached a milestone recently as it pulled off a simulated landing of a Boeing 737.

According to Aurora, the purpose of the ALIAS technology is to “function as a second pilot in a two-crew aircraft allowing for standard and even improved aircraft performance, while reducing individual crew operations and workload, lowering costs, and simplifying training.”

“Having successfully demonstrated on a variety of aircraft, ALIAS has proven its versatile automated flight capabilities,” said John Wissler, Aurora’s Vice President of Research and Development. “As we move towards fully automated flight from take-off to landing, we can reliably say that we have developed an automation system that enables significant reduction of crew workload.”