Which is better for flying a plane?  A joystick or a mouse?  Ed gets the chance to find out in All Under Control.  Simon and Eugene discuss.

Episode synopsis:

Ms Langford, airline Big Wig is returning via corporate jet when he plane behaves irrationally, completely out of control of the pilot.  Control is restored just in time for the pilot to make a safe landing, but when a fax arrives saying “Next time we keep control” signed by Icarus.

She calls in the Bugs… which I’m still assuming is their business name… over the strenuous objections of Mr. Todd, head of security.  Todd thinks a plane taking control of itself and terrorizing the pilot and VIP passenger and then receiving a note that is clearly a prelude to a ransom demand must all be pilot error.  You know what I think?  This airline needs a new head of security.  Unless… maybe, he’s the bad guy!

They see a “plane spotter” being forcibly removed from the grounds and inquire about him.  

“Oh he’s a local crank, named Kirby.  He sometimes breaks into the airport to get close to the planes.”

That’s certainly suspicious, maybe he’s the bad guy? But how can he be the bad guy if the intransigent head of security is already the bad guy?

They go to investigate the plane, which is in security isolation, but when the get there, someone is tampering with the plane.  He runs away with Ed in hot pursuit.  Ed is nearly killed and the mystery man escapes.

Moments later, our gang meet Richard Wyman, Technical Director, who arrives panting and out of breath as if he’s just been running to escape someone.  Maybe…  he’s the bad guy!  But how can he be the bad guy if the intransigent head of security is already the bad guy?

They learn that the plane was equipped with NavCom, a sophisticated, state-of-the-air auto pilot system, developed by a local man named Elverson.  Maybe he knows something about what could go wrong with the plane?  

“I wouldn’t bother with him,” Wyman says suspiciously, “he’s an eccentric.”

Ros checks with Elverson and he explains that it is impossible for his software to be hacked or malfunction because he is a genius about these things.  He even gives her a floppy disk with the software on it so she can check it against the copy in the plane

Ros also visits Kirby in an effort to find out if his fax machine was the one that sent the notice from Icarus.  While there, he’s called away and murdered.  And yes, it was his fax machine.

Back at the airport, the Bugs attempt to install equipment to monitor signals, but the head of security is suspiciously opposed to them investigating.

About that time another plane, this time with commercial passengers on it goes for a wild ride.  Immediately thereafter, every computer in the airline is displaying the £5,000,000 ransom demand.  Security sure is lacking at this airline.  That’s mighty suspicious, isn’t it?

Immediately after the incident, the head of security demands that the Bugs be sent packing.  Who knows, they might have even done this themselves.  The CEO acquiesces to this suspicious demand, but then turns a blind eye and secretly lets the Bugs continue to work until midnight.  Secretly, that is, except for Wyman who was standing right there when she unofficially authorizes it.

That night, they break into the hanger and start investigating.  Ros verifies the software is indeed pristine while the boys looks for transmitters/receivers.  Just about then, the head of security comes in and hauls them off – all except Ros, who hid in the flight service compartment.

While Ed and Becket get the third degree back at security, Icarus strikes again.  Firing up the plane Ros is on and remotely closing the manually operated doors.  The plane begins to taxi with Ros onboard.

The plane takes off and enters a holding pattern, clearly as a threat.  

Ed and Ros try to rest the plane from remote control and, failing that, Ed tries to track down the transmitter and bring the plane in safely from there.

Langford agrees to pay the ransom, and Wyman heroically (or perhaps suspiciously) offers to deliver the money.  Todd, heroically (or perhaps suspiciously) insists on going with him.  Beckett has bugged both the case and (secretly) the money and follows along.  When he overhears a gunshot, we know we have one fewer suspect.

It turns out that Todd the intransigent head of security wasn’t so much “intransigent” as he was “incompetent.”  Wyman is bad guy and Todd is dead.  Todd goes to his other accomplice, Elverson, who is the one controlling the plane.  Elverson wanted to bring the plane with Ros down safely now that the money was paid, but Todd wants a bigger share of the money.  That argument is also ended with a gunshot.

Beckett tracks down and pursues Wyman to his conveniently accidental demise, and Ed finds the transmitter, learns to use a computer mouse (that’s the thing with a tail) and Ros is delivered safely to the ground.

In addition to, presumably, being paid for their services, Langford also offers them free airline flights.  “No thanks,” says Ros.