ORVILLE and Wilbur Wright were two American brothers who built and flew the world's first successful powered airplane. On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, USA, they made history.
Their plane stayed in the air for only 12 seconds on the first flight, but that moment changed the world forever. When the Wright brothers flew that first plane, the pilot had to do everything himself, using his body, his instincts and fast thinking to keep the plane in the air.
About 50 years later, planes got something called auto-pilot, a system that could fly the plane on a straight path without the pilot touching the controls.
It was useful, but simple. It followed rules. It did not think. Today, we are at a much bigger moment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now being used inside the cockpit, not just to hold the plane steady, but to help the pilot think, spot problems and make smart decisions in real time.
Difference between autopilot and AI
Autopilot is like a calculator. You give it instructions and it follows them exactly.
AI is like a consultant. It looks at many things at once, learns from experience and gives you advice.
- Time running out for SA-based Zimbos
- Sally Mugabe renal unit disappears
- Epworth eyes town status
- Commodity price boom buoys GB
Keep Reading
Modern AI systems in planes are trained using billions of hours of flight information. They can watch thousands of things at the same time — engine health, weather changes, fuel levels, even how tired the crew might be — and give the pilot clear, helpful information in seconds.
AI, weather: Seeing what humans cannot
Weather is one of the biggest dangers in flying. Rough air (called turbulence) alone costs the world’s airlines about US$100 million every year in injuries and damage to aircraft.
Bad weather also causes many flight delays and detours.
Companies such as Boeing and IBM are using AI systems that collect information from hundreds of weather satellites, ground stations and radar systems. These systems update the weather picture continuously not just every few hours like old systems.
Even better, these AI tools are now connected directly to the plane’s computer systems. So instead of a pilot getting a weather report before take-off and hoping for the best, the AI watches the weather during the flight and suggests better routes in real time, saving fuel and avoiding discomfort for passengers.
National Aeronautic and Space Administration research has shown that AI weather tools can reduce unexpected turbulence by up to 30%. For passengers across Africa who rely on regional flights, this means safer and more comfortable journeys.
AI as an emergency helper
One of the most important uses of AI in the cockpit is during emergencies.
Modern planes have hundreds of sensors constantly checking the engines, fuel, electrical systems and more.
When something goes wrong, pilots have to do many things at once, fly the plane, talk to air traffic control, follow a checklist and figure out what the problem is.
This is extremely stressful. AI helps by watching all the systems and giving early warnings before small problems become big ones. AI helps by comparing a current problem to thousands of similar past problems and suggesting the best solution, quickly and clearly.
Airbus has already shown that AI can land a plane in zero visibility (when the pilot cannot see anything).
While fully-automatic planes are still years away, AI is already being used to give pilots a reliable “second opinion” when it matters most.
For African airlines, many of which fly older planes on routes with limited maintenance support, an AI system that can predict a part failing weeks before it happens is not a luxury.
It is a lifesaver.
Who is really flying the plane?
As AI gets smarter, a fair question arises: what is the pilot’s role?
Aviation experts, airlines and rule-makers agree on one thing: the goal is not to replace the pilot.
The goal is to make the pilot better, by reducing stress, reducing mistakes and helping the pilot see more than human eyes and ears alone can manage.
Captain Alex Makanda put it well: “The best outcome is a pilot who is more capable because of AI, not a pilot who is replaced by it.”
This is an important lesson for Zimbabwe and across Africa.
The pilots who work best with AI are those who understand the technology, keep their flying skills sharp and know when to trust the algorithm, and when to trust their own judgment.
Airlines around the world, including Kenya Airways, are now training their pilots specifically on how to work with AI tools, not just how to fly the plane.
Implications for regional aviation
Perspectives on the current state of Zimbabwe’s aviation industry remain divided, reflecting a mix of stagnation and untapped potential.
Captain Philip Mutambirwa offers a cautious outlook, noting that visible progress is currently lacking.
“It is difficult to see any signs of growth or modernisation at the moment,” he remarked.
“In fact, it seems that there is neither growth nor modernisation taking place.”
However, others see subtle shifts and structural opportunities:
Localised growth: Aviation engineer Richard Mhene suggests that while broad data is needed from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) and the Ministry of Tourism, there are signs of life in niche sectors. He noted a visible uptick in light plane traffic at Charles Prince Airport.
The missing link: Highlighting a recurring theme, engineer Jabu Nkomo argues that the physical and market foundations are already in place. Zimbabwe possesses a modernised hub, a steady stream of inbound tourism, and a diaspora that creates consistent domestic demand.
Model vs. market: Nkomo emphasises that the primary hurdle is a lack of affordable, reliable service, a gap successfully bridged by carriers such as FlySafair in South Africa and Jambojet in Kenya. “What Air Zimbabwe lacks is not the market,” Nkomo concludes. “It is the model.”
The African Free Trade Agreement presents an additional opportunity, as it is expected to increase demand for air travel.
In this evolving landscape, artificial intelligence in aviation is becoming essential rather than optional.
Caaz, along with other African aviation organisations, must establish appropriate regulations for AI integration that prioritise passenger safety, support technological advancement, and safeguard skilled employment.
For young Zimbabweans thinking about careers in aviation, engineering or technology, the message is simple: the cockpit of the future needs people who understand both flying and AI.
Conclusion
AI in aviation is not about removing the human pilot. It is about making the pilot stronger, giving them better information, faster warnings and smarter support. From the Wright Brothers’ 12-second flight in 1903 to a helicopter flying itself across Mars today, the story of aviation has always been about humans finding smarter ways to conquer the sky.
AI is simply the next chapter.
Bangure is a technology researcher based in the UK, where he examines the impact of emerging technologies on economies and societies. With extensive experience as a newspaper production manager and media executive, coupled with formal training in data analytics and artificial intelligence, he effectively integrates technological expertise with strategic insight. — [email protected]
