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Technology to Improve Investigation of Flight 370

In analyzing the data collected from the investigation of flight 370- from both on board
and external sensors- it is clear that additional flight equipment could have provided a more
comprehensive and timely understanding of the events of what has been come to be recognized
as a disaster. The current equipment on board Boeing 777s includes a primary radar, aviation
transponders and GPS among a multitude of other devices and back up devices, yet in the past
few weeks this equipment has proven to be not enough to compile ample information about the
happenings on board or the whereabouts of the aircraft. In light of the investigation surrounding
the flight, the need for a new sensor device on the plane that would allow the air traffic control
center to locate and observe on flight activity in cases of emergency such as flight 370.
In the development of the case it has information that the tracking systems were manually
disabled has come to surface. Thus, technology that surpasses the pilots and crews control
would be necessary in helping to inform investigators. One proposition for a new sensor
technology is the installation of a transmitter that is continuously active but only transmits during
times of irregularity in the flight pattern or on board control. One way that this is possible is if
the transmitters was connected to the control system. Thus, it could track when the plane was
flying at abnormal height or moving at extremely high speeds, for example falling would trigger
this system. Therefore, the transmitter could collect data but it would not physically transmit the
data unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, there could be an override system that would
allow the transmission of this information by the pilot or crew even if the plane was functioning
completely normally. This would act as a safe guard in cases of hijacking, electrical failure, or
mechanical error.





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This transmitter would be connected to a number of systems within the plane as a means
of collecting a snapshot of the happenings on the plane. In addition to having the statistics of the
internal functioning of the planes systems, this device could be connected to the planes GPS
system. Currently, Boeing 777s and most modern commercial aircrafts have GPS systems to
help track their own movement, but this information is not sent back to the air traffic control
centers. If this transmitter could transmit even just the current location at the time of the
triggering, a lot of time could be saved investigating. Additionally, the transmitter could be
connected to security camera set up around the plane. These cameras could record audio, video,
or even simply take photos throughout the time of the flight. This information could give basic
insight into activity on the plane if there is a hijacking. This could give families of people on the
flight information about their love ones in a timelier manner.
Because on a regular flight this information would not be transmitted it would not take a
lot of power, bandwidth, or weight to run this device on all flights. The price of running this
sensor device would not cost airlines a lot because generally it would not have to use a lot of
electricity; however the current cost of installation of this kind of equipment in planes is
approximately $50,000 per plane (Chang). At this point in time, this is not feasible except for
major airlines. However, because similar technology is so rarely used, not enough time has gone
into refining its production, and its price has remained stable for some time, which is rare for
technology (Chang). In time these prices would drop and the feasibility of implementing such
technology would increase. One potential issue with this kind of transmitter is that it uses
expensive bandwidth when it does transmit. Yet, if the system runs smoothly, it would not need
to use this except in extremely rare circumstances. In general, this sensor has the potential to be
feasible with slightly more development in technology.
Currently, there seems to be a good amount of support behind the idea of putting security
cameras and surveillance cameras in the cabin of commercial airlines (Blank). However,
problems arise upon putting cameras in the cockpit. Pilot unions have for a long time strongly
opposed the idea, as they believe that the footage could be used against them unnecessarily more
often than it would be helpful (Sanchez). As of now, this sensor device could not be
implemented in the cockpit, but it could be everywhere else in the plane.

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References
Blank, Dennis. "Surveillance Cameras Set To Keep Watch In Airliners." The New York Times.
The New York Times, 05 Apr. 2002. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.
Chang, Jon M. "How Malaysia Flight 370 Could Shape Flight-Tracking Technology." ABC
News. ABC News Network, 25 Mar. 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014
Sanchez, Ray, Logan Whiteside, Thom Patterson, and Mike M. Ahlers. "Mystery of Malaysia
Airlines Flight 370 Could Spur Air Safety Changes." CNN. Cable News Network, 21
Mar. 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.