XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science   
   From: wdstarr@panix.com   
      
   In article ,   
   "J. Clarke"  said:   
      
   > ddfr@daviddfriedman.com says...   
   >   
   >> Why can't the drones be programmed to deliver then return to the   
   >> cargo plane?   
   >   
   > Well, for one thing now you have to have a drone fast enough or a   
   > cargo plane slow enough to allow the drone to catch the cargo   
   > plane, for another you have have the cargo plane circle around   
   > waiting for the drone and burning up mucho gas in the process,   
   > then there's the matter of the drone rendezvousing and docking   
   > with the cargo plane, which has always been difficult even for   
   > expert pilots in powerful and highly maneuverable fighter   
   > aircraft--doing it with the sort of what amount ot toy helicopters   
   > that are being envisioned for delivery service would be nearly   
   > impossible.   
      
   Programming them all to use their remaining fuel to get up to some   
   minimum droning altitude and fly to a collection site on the ground,   
   on the other hand, might work.  (Physically, if not economically, but   
   I think we've long since thrown economic realism out the window here.)   
      
   -- wds   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)