Good update, VA.
From the AF447 interim report, it is not clear if the two dozen messages were in separate "packets" , but it seems they were grouped into several. Most were ECAM alerts, with a few indicating other data.
It also seems AF had the ACARS programmed to transmit if some problem occurred versus a fixed time interval. Also from the interim report, ACARS transmitted position every ten minutes, including one seconds before the "upset" happened.
The last AF447 ACARS transmission was about 2 seconds before impact. One of the last "faults" was related to cabin pressure. Not surprising as the jet was descending at 10,000 feet per minute.
BTW, AF used satellite comm when available for their ACAR. The ACAR/ECAM data was available well before the wreckage was finally located and the FDR/CVR retrieved.
So my conclusion is that the employment of ACAR data is up to the carrier, and maybe some influence by the manufacturer and/or motor folks that have a vested interest in their hardware and future sales, ya think?.
Secondly, seems to this old pilot that the satellite is the way to go, considering the Inmarsat data we have seen the last few days.
Last edited by gums; 19th Mar 2014 at 19:59.
Reason: typos by Gums