Cirrus, a leading maker of small planes, is adding a feature to its G7 model that allows it to land itself in an emergency, Axios' Ina Fried writes.
Why it matters: The move is a step toward autonomous passenger travel, though landing a plane in an emergency is a long way from removing pilots from the cockpit.
How it works: A red button in the new G7 allows any passenger to initiate the self-landing procedure should the pilot become incapacitated.
The plane can also land itself automatically if it detects a lack of pilot input or erratic behavior.
It'll find the nearest safe airport, communicate with air traffic control and complete the touchdown itself.
Inside the cockpit: Ina had a chance to try it out on a recent test flight out of San Jose airport.
Once she pushed the button, the plane was doing all the work, from identifying Modesto as the nearest airport to touching down a few minutes later.
The landing was a bit bumpy, she says, but no rougher than other flights.
💠My thought bubble: I never really worried about an incapacitated pilot until watching the 1970s disaster-movie spoof "Airplane!"
