I don't agree with you.
When I was instructing, it was very easy to determine who was going to be good and who wasn't. The kids coming into the RAG could all fly, and my job was to teach them to fly, fight and not run into the ground while trying to do the other two things.
What I fear we will get with drones are technicians instead of warriors. If some guy can sit with a cup of coffee while calling passing IP, I don't want him protecting my country. I don't want missions planned by some creep in Washington with a slide rule ever again, but that is what you will get when you take the human equation out of warfare.
It has to be dangerous and deadly so that those who practice it will remain at the top of their game. It is supposed to be high-risk, otherwise they would let anyone do it. That is what I am afraid of.
My info is probably out of date. I had thought/read that a pilot has a very good chance of dying during their first few minutes of actual air combat. If they survive that, they stand a good chance of becoming an "ace." I'm probably thinking of WWI and WWII.
My basic point is, I'd rather we lose ten fighters than one pilot. We can replace machines.
Rather than "slide rule" types flying drone fighters, I'm picturing the top contenders in the annual "Drone Fighter" video game competition. Hardcore gamers will practice for eighteen hours a day or play for days at a time just for the sake of being "the best." Give 'em a catheter, Sobe energy drinks and M&Ms and they'll 'fly' 96 hour missions.