I just read this and wish to share................................................................................ .CNN goes aboard the BAE 146 testaircraft as it flies above northern England
The aircraft is manned by a crew in the sky but controlled by a pilot on the ground
Unmanned flight is an exciting milestone for those at the cutting edge of the aviation industry
(CNN)-- "We're ready to take control" confirms Bob Fraser, a well-seasoned pilot who has beenflying for 37 years.
"And proceed," replies flight test engineer Duncan Casey.
Fraser and Casey are looking at computer display screens, tracking the position of a BAE 146aircraft flying north towards Scotland -- but there is one vital difference.
Casey is high in the sky while Fraser has his feet firmly on the ground.
Casey is one of the flight test engineers onboard the test aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art drone technology alongwith the two pilots in the cockpit for the take-off and landing phases.
After taking-off and climbing to an altitude of 7,000 feet, the pilotshand over to the flight test engineers who in turn hand over to Fraser.
A flight test engineer monitors a computer display screen
Fraser is responsible for navigating the aircraft on a pre-planned route. Calmly in front of his computer, he taps in coordinates to make the plane turn left and right, clearing it with air traffic control as any other pilot onboard would do.................. Some dont like much story. So you can continue here...http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/04/travel/ground-control-pilotless-planes/index.html?eref=edition