Cock Chucker,
Great comparison between RC aircraft and the real thing.
Though, if you suggest to pilot them from the ground, why not just put them in there?
Just to take the example of a fire, you'd have to have fire detecting/suppressing systems in every part of the aircraft.
Or shall we put an "emergency stop button" on the seats? Also handy in case of a medical emergency.
But then we'd have to hire someone to make sure nobody uses the button without reason.
Also, not all aircraft have autoland. Not all airports are fully equiped.
If you'd rely on automation, you will have to ignore a great amount of airports that would be suitable in case of emergency.
Think outside the box.
And what about airport facility degradations? Or false glide slope interceptions, for that matter?
Even in the trains, there is always a way to control and monitor. Just what we do.
Besides, taking the cockpit off the aircraft isn't really aerodynamic
