New Autopilot Will Make Another 9/11 Impossible
The gist of the article:
Scientists at aircraft giant Boeing are testing the tamper-proof autopilot system which uses state-of-the-art computer and satellite technology.
It will be activated by the pilot flicking a simple switch or by pressure sensors fitted to the cockpit door that will respond to any excessive force as terrorists try to break into the flight deck.
Once triggered, no one on board will be able to deactivate the system. Currently, all autopilots are manually switched on and off at the discretion of pilots.
The so-called 'uninterruptible autopilot system' - patented secretly by Boeing in the US last week - will connect ground controllers and security services with the aircraft using radio waves and global satellite positioning systems....
All this sideways motion could make one a bit dizzy -- could we please have an option to fly forward:
enabling operators to fly it like a sophisticated model plane, manoeuvring it vertically and laterally
Cool! If the aircraft is within range when an incident occurs, they can auto-divert to Gitmo and transfer the bad guys directly to a cage:
A threatened airliner could be flown to a secure military base
I think the article was a bit optimistic regarding time time schedule (3 years) and scope (sort of implies all airliners) -- more likely that 10 years out a significant % of planes (but I'd guess still a minority) would be so equipped.