Is the labor cost of cargo flights such a big factor motivating unmanned planes? Or would the entire design of planes be changed such that human dimensions and systems wouldn't be needed? I imagine though, that the planes would still have to be pressurized.
It seems on first glance that all the extra effort to design and operate such systems isn't a huge cost savings over 2 pilots?
Actually what it would probably lead to is a dropping of all safety requirements for over water regulations since only cargo and not human lives are at risk.
Plus it means never having to wait for a pilot that’s stuck in traffic, the wrong town, or unable to fly for health/medication reasons
The range of the C208 isn't that far, so I'm guessing that would help for serving somewhere like the Aleutian Islands. The huge win you're alluding to would be basically ignoring ETOPS for long-haul cargo flights, but those will all be on much larger planes.
The cost of a pilot is pretty insignificant when you're talking 747s. But for a small single engine aircraft, the cost of a pilot is high enough to be a barrier to entry for many markets. These routes would be a pretty big deal in alaska, smaller hawaiian islands, and the USVIs at least as far as domestic routes.
Well not a savings now but the field is only really making it commercially viable soon. Long term with no space needed for crews planes can become even more specialized and in many configurations. No worry about schedules, no worry about having enough pilots certified on the plane, and besides lower salaries and benefits the insurance risk is reduced.
It seems on first glance that all the extra effort to design and operate such systems isn't a huge cost savings over 2 pilots?