Originally Posted by
James7
Which it was right up to the point it was turned off.
It was also equipped with ADS and ACARS /CPDLC
It also has an ELT which can be activated any time.
Even real time tracking envisioned by all and sundry is useless when in the OFF position.
Even with the known position of AF entering the water it took 2 years to find the black box.
Resources would be better spent on the design of the Black Box locating devices.
If you look at the size of the search area without inmarsat data it is approx 1/3 of the earth, so 90 days would mostly likely be inadequate.
WE need both upgrades tracking and improved ULBs (longer lasting/more powerful), and still have to cope with the one in a million cases where crew/jackers tries to disable tracking.