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Change Transponder ID - 777 Avionics Tech question
O.K. Serious question for 777 Avionics Techs.
Is it possible to alter the ICAO unique airframe code in the transponder using pilot available menus; or engineering menus using pilot accessible equipment? |
Quote: Are the a/c flying visible on the pictures? On the pic from the link above, on the "submap" 637975 (it is the fifth rectangle from the right edge, and the twentyfourth from the bottom), there is an "intact" a/c, even visible as a very small white point on the thumbnail map). And I don't see its shadow, but there is a black "band" on the pic, just west of the a/c. That looks to me like a B-737 or the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft variant. |
Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah
I lived and worked in Malaysia on ATC and airport projects for 10 years, and the Captain appears to be a Malay Muslim to me. Some posts have referred to him as Captain Shah - not so as that is his father's name. He is Captain Zaharie. This mistake may have come from the Daily Mail, which also referred to the Prime Minister, Najib Razak as Mr Razak - wrong again he is Prime Minister Najib. Do these people actually graduate in Journalism? Whilst on matters of respect, the Malaysians and their neighbours (plus participants from China, US, Australia and NZ) are quite capable of organising and conducting Search and Rescue missions. They started in the right place (last known position) and expanded the search area as more CONFIRMED data became available. The last position at the start of the search was in the Singapore FIR and also SRR - so it was up to Singapore to start the search action. However this can be delegated to another SRR (in this case KL) if coordination and communications are better facilitated. The mistake the Malaysians made was in not using a professional media person to run their press conferences. The 24 hour news cycle demands fast updates and if the media don't get it they go nuts and they and their experts start going off in all directions. The great shame is that the relatives of those missing have to put up with this.
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Stumbled across this forum while looking for info and it seems to be one of few places on the internet right now that is attempting a serious discussion about all this so I hope no one minds my intrusion..:)
As regards the pilot's wife leaving him, no truly reputable sources seem to be reporting that. I've seen a few say it's been confirmed as untrue by Malaysia but have no source for that so can't be sure. However, I think we all know that if a detail like that were true it would be all over the news networks as they are desperate for new information to allow further speculation so I think it's safe to assume that is not true. Same goes for the ridiculous article in the Mail on Sunday about the pilot being a political 'fanatic'. Here in the UK, the Mail is well known for fabricating and twisting stories to ridiculous extremes. It has a nasty habit of assuming anyone with a foreign name is a terrorist, is trying to steal our jobs or is the cause of cancer. I would seriously encourage everyone to avoid both the Mail and the Mirror like the plague. Now, i'm not a Pilot or an aviation enthusiast so I'm going to stay well away from the technical discussion (no need to add further speculation from someone who has no idea what they're talking about - enough of that on CNN). But i'm going to throw my two cents in here on a couple of other points: The suicide theory makes very little sense to me. While i'm aware similar has happened before, it seems to me that whoever was flying the plane was going to incredible lengths to remain undetected (lengths that would require skill, knowledge and I would imagine planning). Makes zero sense to do any of that, especially to that extent, if you are intent on killing yourself. Similarly, most suicidal folks don't want to kill another 200+ innocent people along with them. Sure, the pilot could have had a sudden breakdown but thousands of people have breakdowns every year and they don't all go on a murder spree. Yes, there are exceptions but they are incredibly rare. As for terrorism, I can't see any logical reason to go to the expense of making a plane disappear just for that sake alone. The fact no one has officially claimed responsibility is key here, I think. The way I see it the only explanations for this would be 1) No terrorists involved 2) Plane has been hijacked and hidden to be used in another attack of some sort in the future - which seems ludicrous to me. There must be cheaper, easier and less time consuming ways to get hold of a plane - particularly when it comes to the large terrorist networks. 9/11 was about making a point. The hijacking of those planes was not purely to crash them into WTC but to make a point using an American airline with mostly American passengers. The terror is not just to make people fear this could happen but more importantly that it is them specifically that is being targeted. And even more importantly, it's about making maximum impact (really didn't wan to make that pun but cannot think of another word) by being as unexpected as possible. In the case of MH370, it would achieve little. Even if being prepared for some future attack, the world is now on alert, aware that something could happen. Makes far more sense to implement an attack when the target is unsuspecting and will not get a chance to stop you (which, let's face it, probably could have been accomplished in this instance). 3) This was a dry run for some potential attack in the future - This seems more likely, I think. Can't see a terrorist network having any issues whatsoever with 200+ lives for a practise run. 4) The plan went wrong. This is the theory i'm leaning toward at the moment. Now this could mean either there was intent to actually attack and something went wrong OR it was a dry run that went wrong. Both scenarios would explain a lack of anyone coming forward to claim responsibility, especially if it was a dry run. When you think about it, with all this coverage any terrorist network is getting a lot of information about what works and what doesn't, what the authorities pick up and what they don't. I guess the theory of it being an accident could still be feasible? I may not be an aviation geek but I am a Titanic geek and if that has taught me anything it's that a random sequence of extremely coincidental events can come together to make a situation previously thought unthinkable, thinkable. It's rare. But it happens. Those are my thoughts anyway. Sorry for the ramble. |
I think the problem is that 'facts' are announced then either withdrawn or qualified.
And what is published seems to be contradictory. For instance, radar apparently shows the plane to have turned back then flown off to the NW. But the satellite data indicates that it ended up in a different direction. Intermediate satellite 'pings' are supposedly available, but locations of these are not posted so we can't see if these correlate with the radar plots (or indeed with anything else). Not surprising that people are reluctant to accept the official version of events. :( |
The ABC in Australia has dug up some 'expert' saying ( again) that the use of good night on the radio is very strange as it is not normal procedure. I wish they would give it a rest, there is nothing abnormal about it at all, especially when you are talking to your home ATC.
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The transponders are an easy disable - switch them to standby. Done. However, to prevent the ACARS system from transmitting data requires a bit more work. On the 777, ACARS is an integrated part of the AIMS and as such, has no off switch.One can disable the reporting module of the AIMS by either pulling specific CB's located in the cockpit, de-racking the primary units (2) located in the EE bay AIMS cabinet, or by accessing the ACARS page on an FMS CDU and switching the data link to an unused frequency. |
No I am not surprised - I had morning tea every day in KL at an Indian Muslim restaurant. But usually different names from Malay Muslims. Anyway it does not matter much so long as we get the names right.
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log off
As per my experience even changing the data frequency to an unused frequency wont help as in most cases the system uses SATCOM to communicate automatically in case no VHF handshake takes place.... reracking etc is impossible in air too!!!
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Originally Posted by Bravo Romeo Alpha
(Post 8382434)
No I am not surprised - I had morning tea every day in KL at an Indian Muslim restaurant. But usually different names from Malay Muslims. Anyway it does not matter much so long as we get the names right.
Anyway, there are too many people trying to tie Islam into this event whereas it's completely irrelevant and shows serious ignorance. I don't mean your post - I mean the others directly alluding to or hinting that because the pilot is a "Muslim" things will be investigated differently than if he were not. This is in addition to the already existing unfounded suspicion being thrown at the captain. |
The ABC in Australia has dug up some 'expert' saying ( again) that the use of good night on the radio is very strange as it is not normal procedure. I wish they would give it a rest, there is not jining abnormal about it at all, especially when you are talking to your home ATC. |
The photo's I have seen of the Captains sim indicate to me it is little more than a toy. I do NOT understand why someone with as much experience as this guy flying the real thing would build such a box, let alone use it! He could have used the Sim's at work, clearly he was senior enough to probably even bring friends in if he particularly wanted to. I understand fighter combat sims and the like - they are good fun, but it is always acknowledged they are toys. In fact the 'good' sims to my mind are the ones that don't pretend to be anything else. I accept there might be weirdo anorak wearing pilots out there who might want to make a cardboard (although cardboard is accurate, and most pilots have used them in basic training), milk carton, string and elastic band box painted to look like the one you are forced to spend 1000 hours a year in, but in 30 years I have NEVER met one personally. He clearly spent money on it, and for what it is its no doubt good, but if you have kids and don't fly I would liken it to something 'Mr Maker' on TV would create in comparison to a real FFS, let alone the aircraft. That sim would give you basic terrain awareness - though no more than Google Earth and I would assume Flight Management Computer functions. NOTHING else would even remotely be like 'the real thing' nor even the 'real' MAS sim the guy could access whenever he wanted to. Any 'practice' he would get from that construction would be considered (IMHO) 'Negative Training'. In other words, using it would lessen your physical flying skills on the 'real thing'. The PMDG simulators put most CBT's and FMC trainers to shame. Not to mention the platforms themselves have the capability to map the entire earths terrain using SRTM mesh (space shuttle data) Plenty of commercial pilots use these products to brush up before a sim check. |
Anyone know when the next press conference in Malaysia will be?
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ACARS and VHF
@Sicer
Reportedly VHF radio disabled by pulling CB. SATCOM uses sep radio and freq for its comm. SATCOM was not disabled. Result: No VHF comm even if over land. SATCOM only. |
ACARS - Forensic investigation
For those needing to know the basics of how the ACARS interacts when presented with a VHF or a SATCOM option, the detailed analysis presented in the TSB Canada report into the Swiss Air Flight 111 accident on 2 September 1998, will alert you to method in which ACARS can be routed. Nothing of any importance has changed in this methodology since that date.
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One wonders where these "experts" are found. Completely normal in practice along with others such as "so long" or "good day". In fact, it is so normal and casual that it sounds like a completely routine flight up to that point which is what led me initially to think that something catastrophic happened very suddenly immediately thereafter. |
Sheep Guts CNNs report may refer to the fact it was stationary wreckage the ping was coming from.Thats why it was the same angle. Anyway let's wait see what eventuates. It's pure lunacy to start searching the Indian Ocean after not even properly covering the sea floor in South China, majority of the search has been by air. They need sea craft in the area. Gosh I've had enough of this thread bye bye and good luck to all concerned. My hearts condolences and sympathy to all the families affected. |
For those needing to know the basics of how the ACARS interacts when presented with a VHF or a SATCOM option, the detailed analysis presented in the TSB Canada report into the Swiss Air Flight 111 accident on 2 September 1998, will alert you to method in which ACARS can be routed. Nothing of any importance has changed in this methodology since that date. |
Breaking news from the government backed New Straits Times in K.L.:
17 March 2014| last updated at 01:58PM 'Plane flew low to avoid radar' By FARRAH NAZ KARIM AND TASNIM LOKMAN TERRAIN MASKING: It dropped to 5,000 feet after turning back from Kuala Lumpur-Beijing route on March 8 SEPANG: MAS Airlines flight MH370 dropped to an altitude of 5,000 feet, or possibly lower, to defeat commercial (secondary) radar coverage after it turned back from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing route on March 8. Investigators are poring over the Boeing 777-200ER's flight profile to determine if it had flown low and used "terrain masking" during most of the eight hours it was missing from the radar coverage of possibly at least three countries. Top officials, who make up the technical team that had been holed up from morning till late at night here, are looking at the possibility that the jetliner, carrying 239 people, had taken advantage of the busy airways over the Bay of Bengal. By sticking to commercial routes, the flight may not have raised the suspicion of those manning primary (military) radars of the nations it overflew. To them, MH370 would appear to be just another commercial aircraft on its way to its destination. "The person who had control over the aircraft has a solid knowledge of avionics and navigation, and left a clean track. It passed low over Kelantan, that was true," said officials. "It's possible that the aircraft had hugged the terrain in some areas, that are mountainous to avoid radar detection." This technique is called terrain masking and is used by military pilots to fly to their targets stealthily, using the topography to mask their approach from prying microwaves. This type of flying is considered very dangerous, especially in low-light conditions and spatial disorientation, and airsickness could easily set in. The stresses and loads it puts on the airframe, especially an airliner of the 777's size, are tremendous. "While the ongoing search is divided into two massive areas, the data that the investigating team is collating is leading us more towards the north," sources said... Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has just said that the flight simulator in the captain's house has (finally) been taken to police headquarters and reassembled for forensic analysis. |
Here's the latest media release from the Ministry of Transport:
MH370 PRESS STATEMENT BY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, MALAYSIA MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2014, 2.15PM 1. Search and rescue operational update... a. The number of countries involved in the search and rescue operation has increased from 14 to 26. These countries are: Malaysia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkmenistan, UAE, UK, US, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. b. Today, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force will deploy their assets to the southern corridor. c. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent diplomatic notes to all countries along the northern and southern corridors; and all countries from which we are requesting assistance. d. The above mentioned diplomatic notes set out the specific support and assistance required, including: - Radar and satellite information - Land, sea and aerial search operations - Search and rescue action plans for relevant countries - Details of any information required from Malaysia e. Today, three French officials from the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la sécurité de l'aviation civile (BEA) arrived in Kuala Lumpur to help with the search and rescue operation. The officials will share their expertise and knowledge based on their experience from the search for Air France Flight 447. 2. Update on the police investigation into MH370’s crew and passengers a. On Saturday 8 March, the Royal Malaysia Police started investigations into all crew members on board MH370, including the pilot and co-pilot, as well as all ground staff handling the aircraft. b. On Sunday 9 March, police officers visited the homes of the pilot and co-pilot. Officers also spoke to family members of the pilot and co-pilot. c. Police visited the homes of the pilot and co-pilot again on Saturday 15 March. The pilot’s flight simulator was taken from his house with the assistance of his family. The simulator was re-assembled at police headquarters. |
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