> Remotely controlling or even assisting pilots is a big no no, way too easy to perform a huge attack of docens of planes at a time, using just a laptop and som

> Remotely controlling or even assisting pilots is a big no no, way too easy to perform a huge attack of docens of planes at a time, using just a laptop and some human engineering. This is hyperbole, automation that is being discussed is about how we can design a system that would in these circumstances. Retrofitting planes probably isn't going to work. However a whole new approach to sensors and global communications might provide the added information that's required for automated flights. Each pilot that has commented seems to be against automation, just because their current work practices are too complex. However that is an engineering problem. Hacking a set of planes to crash is an engineering problem. Its not one that is going to be solved tomorrow, but perhaps in 10 to 15 years when a new generation of planes comes along. My biggest beef isn't with flight automation but with trains. Surely that's the lowest hanging fruit on the automation tree and we seem to be aiming for the hardest with personal cars and commercial planes.