NASA last week selected Rockwell Collins as the lead research organization for its single-pilot operation program designed to evaluate, the potential for safely reducing cockpit flight crews from two pilots to just one.

“The aviation industry has been looking at the potential for single-pilot operations for quite some time to address concerns about future pilot shortages, but there are a number of technical, certification and policy considerations that must be addressed along the way. NASA research is instrumental, though, in achieving progress toward the end goal of reducing pilot workload in the flight deck,” said John Borghese, vice president of the avionics manufacturer’s advanced technology center.

The research is also exploring concepts and technology for ground support and automation aboard airliners as well as crew resource management and physiological monitoring. The contract runs through Sept. 30, 2015, with potential extensions.

One concern is whether the public will accept the idea of flying on airliners with only one pilot.

Rockwell Collins and NASA are also conducting additional cognitive science research with California State University-Long Beach and the University of Iowa.