Originally Posted by
hotshot
I didnt read the entire thread, but latency is also a big problem when you are trying to control an airplane going 500mph with a signal delay of several seconds.
Cruise flight can be controlled via sat link from anywhere in the world, the latency is low enough to not be an issue if you are controlling a FD/AP.
But anything requiring stick and rudder skills (T/O, LDG, upset recovery) would need a direct LOS comm link. TO and LDG can be done by a remote pilot at the airport, but not upset recovery unless it occurs in the terminal area. This is a problem which is not going away...there is no technical solution for limitations imposed by the speed of light (which also governs how fast electronics can work).