Privatizing ATC has been tried in Europe and the results have been dismal, it's why we have flocks of foreigners training here rather than over there (cost). Incidentally, nearly all of these flocks are training to become hired pilots rather than GA ones.
As impressive as the Pelican is, its carriage capacity pales in comparison to a Maersk ship, but its cost would give a herd of bean counters a heart attack. The cost of the overhead (crew) is miniscule compared to the efficiency, or lack there of, of the lift.
Actually, wouldn't the advantage of automated air transport be more of an advantage for smaller cargos where the cost of the pilot is a larger fraction of operating costs?