Just to clarify - you have to be a qualified pilot to fly Reaper, but any old bod can fly Predator, hence why the non aircrew types are going to the USAF. That'll be fun.
Interested why it isn't a real aeroplane? Move stick left it still turns left and I know for a fact that you use autopilot a lot less than on a VC10. Absolutely correct about sensory cues, sometimes that makes it easier, sometimes harder Most importantly the SUs love it.