Passenger plane crashes near DC-area’s Reagan Airport {Jan 29, 2025}

[Bullitt]

@Musicat

I am predicting that within not-too-many years (10, 20, 30?), we will have ATC humans replaced with computer programs. Theoretically, such programs would take into account all known factors, compute possible conflicts, and issue commands to prevent accidents like this, removing the volatile human aspect.

I’m sure this won’t eliminate all disasters, but future disasters will be different. Maybe those same computer programs can use them to improve the system. Isn’t that what AI is all about?

I believe (an educated guess) that there are hierarchical rules to deconflicting air traffic on approach and that these rules are well understood*. And if that is truly the case then this might possibly be automated in the future.

* — being well understood is one thing, but in practice there might still be misunderstandings