I don't think it's that far-fetched for the game, really. Sort of a cross between the panzers top-turret and the current "chute" vehicle... If you can't fly, you can spawn at the field as a troop (unless your barracks are destroyed).
The ultimate trick would be to allow the C47/M3 etc to carry upto 10 players (*in theory).
As to pilot recovery. Hmmm. In the main-arena that doesn't neccessarily make sense. But in an arena with a historic bent, it might well.
Addendum -- spawning as a troop is probably something that we would want to have a time limit on...
[This message has been edited by kfsone (edited 05-21-2001).]