Last point on the cost comparison between CVR/FDR search and data streaming : Search costs are taken up either by States or by insurance companies, not all by the airline. and is around one in a lifetime per airline.
Data streaming costs will be 24/7 paid by the airlines .
And once again when mentioning MH370 , please do not mix Global Tracking and data streaming . .
Global tracking is easy and relatively cheap, a lat/long /ALT short message every minute or so using existing the Iridium network is around 50$/hour for the transmission part and every Airline OPS can have a PC to store the data of its own aircraft,. Some small airlines operating in hostile areas already use it . Data Steaming is very complex, especially rulemaking wise, and very expensive.
Last edited by ATC Watcher; 7th Apr 2021 at 08:33.
Reason: previous post