![]() ![]() Let's assume that the aircraft somehow crashed into the ocean. ![]() Of course the possibility exists that it is somehow on land, but that is a whole other scenario for locating it as well as a very remote possibility. Let's first assume that the aircraft was somehow lost at sea. I will especially go into detail regarding two of the most promising technologies to help solve this problem: Deep-sea drones/ROVs (the wreck of the RMS Titanic was discovered by an innovative remotely controlled deep-sea vehicle called Argo, which could be towed above the sea bed while its cameras transmitted pictures back to a mother ship) and satellite imaging technology. Let's look at what we have in the way of electronics today and then determine what we still need for an adequate solution. In this age of advanced electronics, we obviously do not have the systems in place find the aircraft in a reasonable amount of time and at a reasonable cost. There are usually two transponders on board.Įquipment used to locate “downed” aircraft at sea In this case the crew will reset or cycle the device or swap out with a replacement unit. And third, a malfunction where the transponder begins to transmit erroneous or incomplete data. Second, in case of safety concerns of a fire or protection of the electrical system. First, to avoid clutter on ATC radar when parked at the gate. Transponders can be turned off for three reasons. ![]() So either all this equipment stopped working by being switched off intentionally or it all failed. Transponders are not used in non-radar areas, but there are other means of communications such as SATCOM, CPDLC, HF radio, FMC datalink, and more to be used depending upon which ATC facility with which you are working in a particular region of the globe. Crews are always in communication with air traffic control (ATC) as well as aircraft personnel on the ground. Was it an aircraft-related malfunction? A terrorist act? First, we must discount any cost-related or procedure-related issues such as the expense or difficulty of continuously monitoring all aircraft or the procedure of pilots to turn off a transponder or other communications gear. In light of the tragedy of Flight MH370 and the aftermath of being unable to find the plane, we not only sympathize with family and friends of the passengers and crew, but there is an urgent need to know what happened in order to avoid this situation in the future and how electronics technology is being improved to better locate a missing aircraft or sea-going vessel.Īircraft monitoring and communications possible shortcomings ![]()
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