He speculated about what might have happened to Flight 1549 after it collided with the geese if the plane had been controlled by a remote pilot.

CNN: Who's really flying the plane?

This week's announcement is the latest update on the pledge to "investigate measures to help with fuel costs in remote rural areas, starting with pilot schemes" in the coalition's Programme for Government of May 2010.

BBC: Danny Alexander dampens fuel rebate hopes

For Sullenberger -- perhaps the nation's most famous pilot -- the idea of remote-controlled airliners triggers a lot of critical questions.

CNN: Who's really flying the plane?

It's the first model to feature an interface powered by the PS2's Graphics Synthesizer and Emotion Engine chips, too, and comes with a clamshell, joystick-equipped remote control that looks like you could use it to pilot a plane and solve complex equations while you watch.

ENGADGET: Sony's $10,000 Qualia TV

The result is "Cybervan, " a vehicle that can pilot itself on city streets without a driver or even remote piloting.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But Strathclyde University's Prof Stewart, one of the men behind the pilot on the Isle of Bute, thinks that for remote rural areas it may be the most cost-effective option.

BBC: TV's white spaces connecting rural Africa

The helicopter pilot endeared himself quickly with camping and a mutual zest for video games and remote control cars.

CNN: An e-mail from Haiti, then minutes later, a nightmare

"We are delighted at the honour bestowed upon Nabanna, " said Falguni Mondol, 35, a resident of Arbelia and a direct beneficiary of Nabanna, which is innovating on web-based databases and information sharing through internet to benefit the poor women of Baduria a remote region in West Bengal's North 24-Parganas district which is the pilot site for Nabanna.

UNESCO: Communication and Information