Super GPS position accuracy
From the English version of the BEA report:
The first position message (AOC type message) was transmitted on 31 May at 22 h 39. On 1st June at 2 h 10 min 34, the last position received was latitude +2.98° (North) and longitude -030.59° (West). The position transmitted was the aircraft’s FM position which, in normal conditions, is close to the GPS position.
(Emphasis added)
Note here that the ACARS positions are presumably NOT gps positions. They are CLOSE TO gps positions.
What is "close"? Within an inch? Within 5 feet? Within a mile? Within 10 miles?
Unless that can be answered I'm not sure that the position being 2.71284635 miles to the left of the theoretical track means anything.
Last edited by WhyIsThereAir; 5th Jul 2009 at 00:46.
Reason: Fix bad formatting that only showed up after posting