Wx Radar Factor
As posted earlier, the head of AF is wondering aloud if the crew of 447 had not operated the Wx radar in a way to see the storm they must have flown into.
Spend $200 Million for a new airplane, but not $200.1 Million for one with the latest and greatest Wx Radar. . Why? Because the 25-30 year old technology Wx Radar meets the minimum requirement for airworthiness. Besides, you would have to re-train the pilots (if they get any Wx training now), and retrofit the rest of that type fleet.
The "new" (~7 year old) multi-scan Wx radar would have had a far better chance of accurately displaying that storm system to the pilots. Weather radar operation and interpretation is one of the few pilot tasks that haven't been automated. Why not spend a few extra bucks and give pilots the best tools available?
GB