It is technically very simple to have 5 second updates on every aircraft anywhere in the world. It is possible to have continual real time feed of important data, shortly it will be possible to have real time FDR/CVR upload 'to the cloud'.
The best we can expect though from operators is an ACARS messaging system that reports maintenance issues - not necessarily in order of occurrence, ADS-B transmissions to ground stations - when in range, ADS-C satcom around every 10 - 20 minutes or on vector changes (dependent on contract). The reason that
Originally Posted by
falconx
Now in all honesty with the worlds technology how in the f**k do we lose an aircraft like that .
Is due to accountants not wanting to spend the extra even on more ADS-C transmissions (you know they are a $2 a pop?) and some not wanting real time capability for the company to be able to watch FOQA or listen in to flight crew. All these discussions were 'hamster wheeled' for AF447.
AF447 also showed how long it takes to get from FL350 to sea level. The fact that the crew did not 'communicate' means that whatever happened was extremely fast and prevented communication. This indicates an event more like PanAm 103 than AF447.
If there were that many fishing boats out and as it was a clear night anything approaching TWA800 in magnitude would have been seen by hundreds of people. I suspect we will start getting eyewitness reports soon.