Intensifying the Database for Flight 380

Intensifying the Database for Flight 380 

In a recent article found in Bloomberg written by Dina Bass talks about the clues that are being found about the lost Malaysia Flight on rooftop antennas. As it is a mystery to everyone still following this case, some may wonder how with all of the improved technology we have these days, how can we still not find missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Following the disappearance, “a crucial source of data came from four rooftop antennas installed by aviation enthusiasts living near the flight path. The volunteers, who host the gizmos for a Houston-based company called FlightAware, captured clues aiding the search for the plane that went missing more than a month ago.” FlightAware is a nine year old company that “mainly aggregates data from air-traffic-control organizations and airlines, but its able to fill in some holes using the trackers it distributes to anyone willing to climb on top of their houses.” “Customers plug in the blue-and-white box and put an antenna on the roof, which receives signals from transponders inside planes passing overhead.”

Data from a few aviation people was not enough to end what is now the longest search in a missing commercial flight. However, this clearly explains to the world that flight-detection systems need major tweaking. It is crazy to be able to locate a smartphone device on a map but not storing a black box inside a plane seems crazy. The device weights half a pound and is about the size of a soda can. “Bloomberg Businessweek reported that keeping logs trapped on planes is done mostly because of cost. Sending data from each flight in real time via satellite would be extremely expensive.”  FlightAware is now trying to “amass a more comprehensive database to minimize situations where its customers are left in the dark.”

There are many factors that are making this investigation a mystery, which then makes officials question every clue that they receive. It is interesting to read that commercial plane companies say it is to expensive to inset a device a GPS satellite in their planes because most trucks these days have technology with dispatch communications, logging location refrigeration, truck speed etc. If these transmitters could be used on a truck, then an airplane should include something similar. This missing flight should open the eyes to other aviation companies because this could happen to any other flight and an unexpected time. Although we live in an era where technology is extremely advanced and used in our everyday life, it is sad to know that it is still not at its best. Something like this situation should never happen. I believe that in-flight plane data and location information should be transmitted off the aircraft, in real time, by something that could never be destroyed. Although these databases are extremely complex and expensive, it is important that this data be transmitted via cloud or something that is stronger.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-10/clues-about-the-lost-malaysia-flight-found-on-rooftop-antennas.html