Self-flying planes are on a path for takeoff with Boeing and Airbus testing autonomous systems

Self-flying airplanes are gearing up for take-off, as Boeing, Airbus and other companies are testing autonomous systems and craft - but pilots are pushing back over safety risks. The technologies enable autonomous landings, handle-inflight emergencies and relax the Federal Aviation Administration's law requiring two pilots in the cockpit. Pilots have shared their concerns on Twitter, with many stating that two pilots are required in an emergency. Tony Driza, who has been an airline pilot for 40 years, posted that he can'equivocally state that when an emergency situation arises in the cockpit, a full crew is necessary to deal with it.' While autonomous airplanes are still early, Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun said in a Bloomberg TV interview the technology will'come to all airplanes eventually.' Boeing has developed an autonomous refueling plane for the US Navy, the MQ-25.