Missing Plane

I think that is just being rolled out amongst Virgin airlines now.

 

If there was a malfunction and the plane started to hurtle to the ground at 400mph, I doubt you'd have time or the mental capacity to send a text. Likewise, if it was a terrorist act/bomb, there would be no indication of any trouble.

Also, given the time of the 'crash', 0230 local time, there wouldn't be much cellular traffic.

Re phones on planes: The FCC has said that the issue may be discussed at its next open meeting. In other words, it's thinking about thinking about it. If the rule actually passes — which seems likely given everything else that's happened in aviation recently — then airlines will be allowed to start offering wireless services at 10,000 feet and up. Just as with the portable electronics rule, however, it'll be up to the individual airlines to support it. And remember, cellular connections will still be prohibited during takeoff and landing. Every plane that supports it is equipped with a base station that creates a mini cellular network called a picocell. All the wireless signals from your phone or tablet get collected by the base station, then transmitted to a commercial communications satellite. The satellite then beams those transmissions down to Earth, where they link up with terrestrial networks and continue on their way like normal. - washington post

 

bit of a mystery this.

It seems that the plane turned back towards Malaysia before going off radar

 

It's the lack of wreckage that's puzzling. Surely, if the oil slicks were from the plane, there would be something floating on the surface. Turning back would indicate some sort of issue. The stolen passports just add to the mystery.

 

Did it not take them 2 years to find that air France flight from Brazil, that disappeared ? Sure I read that. It just seems strange that if the plane turned back that they had not spoke to someone on the ground ? It just gets weirder.
Although its a long shot, I hope the passengers did not realise what was happening, as that would be terrifying.

 

I think it took them 2 years to find the black box, but they found the wreckage within a few hours of it hitting the water, big parts of the plane were floating about, seats, luggage etc.

 

I only made the comment because i phoned my Dad from 38000 ft over the Indian Ocean last year on an Emirates flight mate........and there were many others calling and texting on the flight.
Its standard now, on long haul flights anyway!

I just thought maybe someone could have been midcall, or mid text when something went wrong.............but it would seem they didnt even have a chance to do that!!!

£2.50 a minute mind!!!

 

They found the plane within the week but it took them years to find important parts that sank to the bottom.

This seems strange because they have found nothing (so far).

 

As everyone is saying, it look them two years to find the black box and find out what happened. In that case, it was frozen components that caused parts to malfunction and give false readings. Watched a program on it, terrifying.

 

If it was a "terrorist" attack someone would claimed responsibility by now I think.

 

Depends on the airline. Emirates, Virgin and some BA flights allow it. Other smaller carriers don't due to the costs involved. Malaysia Air might not have it.

 

Yes it does, but like i said, long haul carriers seem to be queueing up to offer it now, and i think Malayian Airlines were one of those which allowed their use.One guys phone was definitely on!!

http://www.straitstimes.com/breakin...-plane-family-chinese-passenger-says-mobile-p

 

Ouff. 'Desperate family members have asked Malaysia Airlines to use satellite technology to pick up the mobile phone signals of passengers before their phones run out of batteries.' Surely they should be using the satellites to pinpoint the location?

 

Yip.....you would think.

 

Sorry didn't make myself clear, I meant the black box and larger parts of the plane
Hopefully ah there is nothing positive to say so far, its bad whatever has happened. I just hope the passengers did not realise what was happening.

 

The black boxes all have a homing beacon attached to them .
Not sure what the range of the beacon is though .

 

people on stolen passports ?
looks like a terrorist act, tbh

 

...

That's me told :smiley-laughing002:

 

seems the vietnamese navy have found items belonging to the plane in the ocean.