Re: The human pilots just do the easy bits...
>Has taking off ever been fully automated - rather than just having technological "assists"?
I found out recently the first fully automated flight - take off, cruise, landing, no human input of any kind [1] - was made by a Lockheed Tristar. In 1972.
Planes could easily be flown by a mix of automation and remote control for the occasional tricky bits.
The reason no one wants this are political. Humans are terrified of potentially dangerous situations that seem out of their control. Human pilots provide a reassuring illusion that someone competent is in charge. Machines and remote pilots don't.
[1] Except handing out the peanuts.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
