Study Finds Single-Pilot Jobs Demand Varies by Role
German Aerospace Center researchers compared job requirements for onboard and remote pilots in a proposed single-pilot commercial aviation concept.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Job Search
Researchers at the German Aerospace Center evaluated job requirements for single-pilot commercial aviation operations against today's dual-pilot positions. The study was published in Volume 130, Issue 1353 of The Aeronautical Journal with open access.
Why it matters
Global demand for air travel is growing while operating costs are rising and a pilot shortage persists, making alternative crewing models a subject of interest. The findings help define which skills a single-pilot model would require from onboard and remote pilots.
The Fleishman Job Analysis Survey rated 75 abilities across five domains for three roles, with the onboard pilot profile highly similar to today's dual-pilot profile. The remote pilot profile differed significantly, mostly at lower demand levels, and whether these ratings translate to safe operations remains unresolved.
The players
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Germany's national aerospace research institution, which conducted the study through its Next Generation Intelligent Cockpit project.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
The European Union agency responsible for aviation safety regulation, which in 2025 refocused on current dual-pilot operations.
The details
The reference concept pairs an onboard pilot, supported by an AI-based virtual co-pilot, with a ground-based remote pilot overseeing multiple aircraft. The study was conducted as part of the Next Generation Intelligent Cockpit project at the German Aerospace Center and authored by Frank Zinn, Sarai Borchardt, Sophie Möller and Frank Albers.
Timeline
2025: EASA announced it would refocus on current dual-pilot operations until technical advances were implemented and sufficient safety was demonstrated.
November 9, 2026: Cambridge Core published a blog post about the study.
Market Landscape
EASA's 2025 decision to refocus on dual-pilot operations until technical advances are demonstrated sets the regulatory backdrop for this study. The research maps the human skills a single-pilot model would demand, a question the industry must answer before any such model can be considered.
For pilots, the findings show that an onboard single-pilot role would demand higher cognitive and interactive skills than current dual-pilot roles. Remote pilot positions, by contrast, would involve lower demands on average, which could shape training pathways for those considering aviation careers.
The takeaway
Pilots and aviation professionals considering career paths should note that single-pilot concepts would shift required abilities rather than simply reduce them. Whether these roles materialize depends on safety demonstrations that regulators have not yet accepted.
Further reading
Explore more on Job Search for career context on aviation and related roles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cambridge University Press.
