SAFELANDER provides a method of safely operating aircraft, equipped with a Flight Control Unit, Instrument Landing System, and Autopilot, remotely on the ground and/or in congested airspace. The remote pilot, who can concurrently control a plurality of operational aircraft, communicates with Air Traffic Control and operates in a secure, synthetic vision, high fidelity, virtual reality cockpit simulator located in a ground-based facility. The patent saves cost and weight by providing a method for safely piloting traditionally dual piloted operational aircraft with just a single onboard pilot. The invention protects aircraft, edifices and the population from pilot error and/or terrorists. Decreases cost of air travel. Quickly, safely and effectively responds to emergencies. Increases flight safety and security. SAFELANDER ciphers and utilizes the two-way RF ground to aircraft and aircraft to ground telecommunication links and critical aircraft flight control data of U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,349, "Remote, Aircraft, Global Paperless Maintenance System".