A new autopilot mechanism is being tested by Boeing as a means to make it harder for hijackers to take over a plane. This mechanism places the control of the airplane in the hands of people on the ground.
Currently, autopilots can be turned on and off to the discretion of the pilot. This new system on the other hand is activated when the pilot switches it on or through pressure sensors when there is an outside excessive force that will try to break into the pilot’s cockpit.
This new autopilot is called the ‘uninterruptible autopilot system’ that is capable of remote digital control so that the plane will land safely in a commercial airport or a military base.
Of course, there are always things that can go awry with this kind of autopilot system, let’s just hope that it’s not the beverage cart bumping into the door of the cockpit that will trigger it!
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