In the event of an actual or potential aircraft hijacking, control of the aircraft (referred to as the “hijacked aircraft”) is first shifted to the autopilot. The autopilot is programmed to fly the hijacked aircraft to a selected, highly secure airfield. Once in the vicinity of this airfield, control of the hijacked aircraft is transferred from the autopilot to a human pilot aboard a chase aircraft or at a ground control center (referred to as the “remote pilot”). The hijacked aircraft transmits all the information needed by the remote pilot for execution of a landing, including video images if necessary. Systems on the hijacked aircraft controlled by the remote pilot include the throttles, flaps, ailerons, rudder and landing gear, etc. To prevent hacking, the remote pilot communicates with the hijacked aircraft in an encrypted, highly secure manner. If the remote pilot is on a chase aircraft or a ground control center located at a nearby landing field, the transmissions are highly directional; the remote pilot transmitter is high output and the hijacked aircraft receiver is low sensitivity.
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