Originally Posted by DenisG
If the ACARS at 02.10h allow the conclusion that the aircraft was at a max. altitude of 14,000f at this point in time, don't we have to assume that they must have left FL350 before 02.10h?
There is no ACAR at 0210 saying that the aircraft was at 14,000 ft?
There is one at 02.11 saying that SPEED/MACH function was invalid. Now, taking this case as a proof of the aircraft flying at 14,000 ft is really stretching the fact as how would it be possible for the SPEED/MACH function to properly display this indications without airspeed and total pressure? As mentioned, this PROBE fault is stamped
before the second one. Moreover, it was checked during some time before being actually validated at this time stamp.
Originally Posted by DenisG
In the BEA report (JUL-2009, p. 49) is stated that the last position message (AOC) was sent at 2h 10m 34s transmitting the FM position. It is not stated that the a/c transmitted its altitude hereby.
Right, they didn't give any details, but A330 manual does mention that positional reports are including position, heading, altitude, Mach/TAS, and possibly other data. As those Air France Operational messages were never published until now, we can't verify that point.
S~
Olivier