Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for verifying the presence and vital signs of pilots in a cockpit of an airplane. The system uses autonomous short-range active communication equipment and, in particular, a central control and actuation unit located in the cockpit of the airplane and personal control units worn by the pilots that wait to receive a request signal from the central control and actuation unit to determine the absence of the pilot from the cockpit, based on the intensity of the request signal received, and whether the pilots' vital signs are anomalous, using a heart rate sensor. In the event of detecting an anomalous situation, an alert is sent to the central control and actuation unit, which executes a certain action in accordance with the specific alarm detected.