A jointly funded industry/government initiative in the UK is operating a Jetstream 31 commuter plane in flight trials to demonstrate autonomous flight systems and flight via a remotely based pilot, while also carrying two onboard safety pilots. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft will be flown in trials during the next few weeks from Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire, England. A pilot on the ground will operate the aircraft in conjunction with onboard systems. The tests aim to demonstrate the systems' ability to navigate the aircraft, avoid others, and respond to air traffic control requests relayed to the ground-based pilot through the aircraft. Two pilots will fly in the aircraft as safety crew to observe operations and take positive control if needed. Developers don't expect these tests to lead directly to remotely piloted passenger operations, but they do consider that as a possible outcome of the technology's evolution.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/news/uk-commuter-plane-used-for-autonomous-flight-trials