Squawk 7777 says that apparently engineers are delevoping an aircraft with video screens instead of flight deck windows-what would be the point of that?
A video screen can break down, a window can't. (Although it could perhaps fall out-as has happened, but they got it down alright.
The possibility of having a basically automated aircraft but with the ability to be controlled from the ground was mentioned.
Firstly, that would surely be very vunerable to terroist. A very high powered transmitter to block the signals, and / or send false signals?
Secondaly, without constant monitering, how would they know when they needed to take over? Of course, you could have a highly trained indivual monitering with another highly trained indivual (with perhaps less expereince than the first) also monitering to make sure the first doesn't miss anything or do something wrong, constantly during the flight. In which case, it may be better to have them on board where they can react quicker and be more motivated to keep the thing in the air...oh wait a minute, aren't we back where we are now?