Pilotless C208 California-NC Sept 14-18, 2026

[Let'sgoflying!]

A single-engine prop Cessna Caravan soared into the record books after becoming the first autonomous airplane to complete a cross-country flight across the US.

 

[tlglenn]

If a human pilot was sitting in front of the controls, just in case, could he or she log the time?

 

[MauleSkinner]

“Robo-Prop”?

 

[midlifeflyer]

The controllers at RDU were very impressed.

 

[midlifeflyer]

If a human pilot was sitting in front of the controls, just in case, could he or she log the time?

A human pilot was sitting at the controls just in case. If the question was serious, I'd say the answer is yes.

 

[Llewtrah381]

The controllers at RDU were very impressed.

Serious question: who communicated with ATC and how?

Less serious: if the plane, did it say “Seeya” with each handoff? And did it meow on Guard?

 

[Ventucky Red]

If a human pilot was sitting in front of the controls, just in case, could he or she log the time?

Only if there was a dog in the cockpit

 

[midlifeflyer]

Serious question: who communicated with ATC and how?

I don't know for sure.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

What’s bad is that one of the national news stations this morning that talked about this only mentioned the electric VTOL craft and all of the vids showed that craft. Zero about a Caravan. Either false reporting or advertising or both.

 

[Bell206]

What’s bad is that one of the national news stations this morning that talked about this only mentioned the electric VTOL craft and all of the vids showed that craft. Zero about a Caravan. Either false reporting or advertising or both.

Joby Aviation, who developed the S4 eVTOL, is the company that completed this Caravan flight through a subsidiary. Hence the reason you see the eVTOL pics which is what they are better known for. There are several other companies flying "autonomous" Caravans with one currently flying their Caravan for the Air Force on cargo missions.

 

[Albany Tom]

Somewhat different mission profile, but the Germans kinda did something similar about 80 years ago.

Dark humor aside, it does make sense for cargo, especially in and out of lower traffic areas. And for military flights over open ocean or hostile territory.

 

[Bell206]

And for military flights over open ocean or hostile territory.

Its also been stated the reduction in support requirements for this type operation is rather substantial when compared to a similar manned operation.

 

[Albany Tom]

Its also been stated the reduction in support requirements for this type operation is rather substantial when compared to a similar manned operation.

I've had two friends and a family member that were truck drivers in the military. It's supposed to be a non-combat job...but sometimes it isn't, and that's kinda hell for those caught in it. It always seemed to me that robots/drones were they way to go there. I know DARPA has or had been working on ground versions for years.