Aircraft manufacturers are working on plans part funded by the European Commission which could see commercial jet co-pilots ditched.
The project, backed by a consortium of companies including the big two manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, is attempting to make flying safer by reducing the number of accidents.
According to reports this could mean greater reliance on auto-pilot technology and less on flight deck crew.
Within the next six months the Across Project (Advanced Cockpit for Reduction of Stress and Workload) is expected to develop new technology to fly aircraft remotely.
This will be especially designed for flying in poor weather, in emergency situations or in congested skies.
According to The Times Across envisages long-term the evolution of single pilot cockpits.
The newspaper said incidents involving flight crew were a contributory factor in 60% of fatal accidents between 1990 and 2010.
Balpa, the British pilots trade union warned the move was a step towards fully automated aircraft which would be more vulnerable to hackers.