Malaysian Airlines MH370 contact lost

[Zionstrat2]

A process change could provide immediate risk reduction

Don't Hang Up- I understand your concern-

"Every electrical system or circuit breaker removed from the control of the flight crew is an added fire risk.

Let's not be in such a rush to quick fixes for one in ten million risks that make more-likely risks worse."

But as I understand it, if current technology is mandated and processes are updated, we could almost immediately reduce the risk of entirely lost aircraft where no one is aware of a potential problem and the dragnet isn't thrown out until it is too late.

1. All commercial AC of x size/over water routes should be required to use a satellite based acars system that trickles out a small amount of info every 5 minutes- If it stops reporting for more than x minutes- a minor problem is assumed, however the alert processes is started and escalates over time.

2. All commercial AC of x size/over water routes should be required to use a satellite based communication system like Immersat with a minimum of 5 minute handshakes- If it stops reporting for more than x minutes- a minor problem is assumed, however the alert processes is started and escalates with time.

(Note that I am talking about a potential process-- not specific technologies, ie where ACARS stops and Sat com starts-)

Of course, if this leads to a crash, it doesn't give us the crash coordinates- However,
1. We are altered to a potential problem, we know where the AC was at the time and we can escalate as needed.
2. The search area would be greatly reduced
3. Some type of assistance might be possible (a military AC leading an electrically comprised AC to a suitable runway)
3. No one would imagine they could get away with an intentional MH370 like event.

Forget about the transponder for a moment- there are too many reasons it could be turned off and the alerts described above would be easily automated.

Costs would be limited to current technology, process changes aren't drastic, and it's unlikely to set off false alarms- ie 5 minutes after an alert, an aircraft with minor electrical issues may report in and stop the alert.

Or 10 minutes after an alert, if officials can't make a radio connection, it's likely that something's going on. Maybe just electrical, but we're aware and looking at potential to assist?

Other than fear of change, and possible satellite bandwidth, does anyone see major holes in this thinking?