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The search and recovery operations go on for Air France AF-447, as does my search for information. Some information I recommend as well worth reading and listening.
My good friend Addison Schonland at IAG has created and continues to create a nice series of articles and podcasts on AF447.
- A decoding and analysis of the ACARS messages
- A podcast of an interview with an avionics engineer familiar with the Honeywell ACARS system fitted on board the Air France Airbus A330-203 F-GZCP.
- A podcast of an interview with experienced commercial pilot, Doug Willey who explains the pre-flight procedures as well as how a flight tracks its route.
- A podcast of an interview with Dr. John Craven, a veteran on many underwater search operations, on the challenges to locate the “black boxes” flight data and cockpit voice recoders from the ill-fated flight from Rio to Paris.
This article on CNN written by Kieran Daly, Editor of Air Transport Intelligence is also a “must read”.
For those Bangalore Aviation readers of a more technical mind-set – we have been hearing a lot about the possible freezing of the pitot probes (also called pitot speed sensors) on the Airbus A330, and the replacement being offered by Thales. Thales a French company, was the vendor for the pitot probes most likely model C16195BA on the Air France aircraft.
Goodrich is also a vendor of pitot tubes on Airbus aircraft and a competitor to Thales. The product documentation of their new model 0851HL pitot probe which is a replacement for the older model 0851GR pitot probe, is also very conveniently positioned as a replacement for it’s “competitor” – read Thales. The document makes some very interesting reading on the icing problem that afflicts the older pitot probes and what changes have been made to address the problem.
I must caution that I am no way implying, nor should we in any way assume, that Thales products are inferior to those of Goodrich.
All said and done we still have to wait for facts and Kieran’s words best summarises my feelings “But the fact remains that this is today speculation”.
