Reframing Error in Reduced-Crew Flightdecks: Implications for AI-Supported Single-Pilot Operations

Potential single-pilot operations for large aircraft increases the ability of commercial aviation to respond to challenges regarding pilot shortages, rising operational costs, and the need to maintain a safe flight environment. Introducing AI in the flightdeck in a pilot support role holds promise to achieve this goal. A concern with this configuration would be changes in error accountability based on the shift from two pilots to one: the single pilot would now have sole authority of the aircraft and be responsible for any errors or mistakes that occur despite the AI independently completing tasks. This paper examined AI-supported single-pilot operations through Hollnagel’s Safety-I and Safety-II perspectives to compare how errors could vary in interpretation and concluded that Safety-I was useful for identifying adverse outcomes, but a Safety-II approach is essential for capturing how to improve the actual system. Based on this, AI-supported SPO development suggestions are provided.