SAFELAND is an EU-funded project with the main aim to create a valuable solution for supporting flight and landing of aircraft operated by a single pilot experiencing partial or total incapacitation.

During its 30-month duration, SAFELAND will focus on the ground side and in particular, on the role Air Traffic Management (ATM) could have in managing the transition from a single pilot operated flight to a status with reduced or absent contribution of the onboard pilot. The project will investigate the interaction of the air traffic controller with onboard automation and/or a ground-based pilot managing the flight through a remote cockpit position.

The concept will be evaluated at main phases of its development with different evaluation techniques including a real-time simulation integrating a cockpit simulator, a controller working position, a ground cockpit simulator and a simulated Airline Operation Control Centre. The evaluation will investigate different aspects including human factor, safety, security and cybersecurity, legal, economic and regulatory.

SAFELAND results will be communicated and disseminated ensuring scientific links and exchange of information, data and results with research initiatives in different framework programmes and in particular with the single pilot studies of CleanSky.

In a nutshell
SAFELAND will investigate different approaches to handle pilot incapacitation such as:

• Replacement Through Automation
• Second Pilot Displacement

The project will consider both approaches with the aim of enhancing safety in case of single pilot incapacitation, through an improved ground support centered concept, offering crucial contribution for the management of the flight until its safe landing.