REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - Malaysian Airline loses contact with passenger airline

Gnieob · 03-13-2014, 09:21 PM

As already stated before in this thread by other people, technologies do already exist for automatic GPS position reporting. This is called ADS-B. (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Mode B) On flight tracking websites such as flightaware or even apps like Flight Radar 24, when an aircraft is out of radar range ADS-B positioning information is used. Though not all aircraft are required by law to have the equipment installed, more and more are being equipped as it is now a requirement to fly in Australia and in the US and (I believe) the EU within the next 5 years. ADS-B cannot be turned off as it is hardwired on. The only option for pilots is to turn it into "emergency mode".

The media is as usual, taking things out of context. Turning off an aircraft's transponder does NOT "turn off a radar". If this happened then why would the US, Chinese, EU, and Russian militaries spend billions in developing radar invisible aircraft? The transponder's sole job is to insert a tidbit of data into the radar's return signal, which includes Altimetry, and a code that we call a "SSR Code". The code's only use is to match it up to the radar controller's database and put a name next to the aircraft's "blip" on the radar screen. As stated above by Amuro Ray, transponder malfunctions are not uncommon, and when it fails or is turned off the aircraft still appears on radar, just without it's "name tag".

With the Rolls Royce Engine Data, I know the following gets transmitted, among other things.
Engine N1, N2, N3 RPM, Exhaust gas temperatures, oil temps and pressures, vibration readings, fuel flow - basically the same information pilots have access to in their aircraft, but with more detail.
I'm sure other things get transmitted but keep in mind these are SNAPSHOTS ONLY. They are not real time information, and nobody looks like them unless the airline wants to look at them.

"communications systems" cannot be shut down, only ignored or tuned out. Think of your home phone. Keep in mind too that in the cruise very little communications occur the aircraft and anyone else. Aircraft nowadays fly so accurately and on pre-planned routes (which are filed with all the aviation authorities they pass thru) that we don't make any other calls than knock on the door to basically tell them we are here, and when we expect to leave their airspace.
Note: in the event of a complete communications failure, most country's regulations call for the aircraft to fly it's pre-planned route.

03-13-2014, 09:21 PM	#470
Gnieob RS Lurker, I don't post! Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 4 Thanked 17 Times in 2 Posts Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts	As already stated before in this thread by other people, technologies do already exist for automatic GPS position reporting. This is called ADS-B. (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Mode B) On flight tracking websites such as flightaware or even apps like Flight Radar 24, when an aircraft is out of radar range ADS-B positioning information is used. Though not all aircraft are required by law to have the equipment installed, more and more are being equipped as it is now a requirement to fly in Australia and in the US and (I believe) the EU within the next 5 years. ADS-B cannot be turned off as it is hardwired on. The only option for pilots is to turn it into "emergency mode". The media is as usual, taking things out of context. Turning off an aircraft's transponder does NOT "turn off a radar". If this happened then why would the US, Chinese, EU, and Russian militaries spend billions in developing radar invisible aircraft? The transponder's sole job is to insert a tidbit of data into the radar's return signal, which includes Altimetry, and a code that we call a "SSR Code". The code's only use is to match it up to the radar controller's database and put a name next to the aircraft's "blip" on the radar screen. As stated above by Amuro Ray, transponder malfunctions are not uncommon, and when it fails or is turned off the aircraft still appears on radar, just without it's "name tag". With the Rolls Royce Engine Data, I know the following gets transmitted, among other things. Engine N1, N2, N3 RPM, Exhaust gas temperatures, oil temps and pressures, vibration readings, fuel flow - basically the same information pilots have access to in their aircraft, but with more detail. I'm sure other things get transmitted but keep in mind these are SNAPSHOTS ONLY. They are not real time information, and nobody looks like them unless the airline wants to look at them. "communications systems" cannot be shut down, only ignored or tuned out. Think of your home phone. Keep in mind too that in the cruise very little communications occur the aircraft and anyone else. Aircraft nowadays fly so accurately and on pre-planned routes (which are filed with all the aviation authorities they pass thru) that we don't make any other calls than knock on the door to basically tell them we are here, and when we expect to leave their airspace. Note: in the event of a complete communications failure, most country's regulations call for the aircraft to fly it's pre-planned route.