craft switching in flight and autopilots.

[Rushligh]

So i've been building ships with multiple stages: drop pods, escape pods, missiles, base deployment, etc, and have run into an issue...

i can't switch to the deployed/jetisoned section even though it has command modules, until both it and my current ship have landed. I need a mod that will allow me to switch between vessels in kerbin atmosphere and apply physics live to the previous section. Preferably with hot keys, but buttons can work too.

secondly, i've noticed than mods like TCA will stop working on a craft once that craft is no longer under your direct control; even if it's enabled and your settings remain unchanged. Is there a way to apply TCA settings to ALL operational vessels with thrusting engines, or on a vessel per-vessel basis and have it REMAIN operational? 
not specific to TCA necessarily, but any autopilot mods that can handle VTOL craft.