Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

How to Find a Missing Plane

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 3, 2009 8:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – How will authorities go about finding Air France Flight 447? Essentially, it'll take a lot more planes, Slate explains. Most of the jet’s location gadgets, like its emergency locator transmitters, are unlikely to work underwater. The flight recorders have sonar devices attached that can transmit from 14,000 feet down, but one needs to be relatively nearby to detect them.

That leaves rescue pilots relying mostly on the “fly-over-and-look technique,” which is exactly as high-tech as it sounds. They’ll try to narrow the search area based on data like the plane’s last known location, wind patterns, and currents. At night, they’ll use night vision goggles and strobe lights. And they may get an assist from nearby merchant vessels, thanks to a US Coast Guard program.

Soldiers fuel a Brazilian Air Force plane that is part of a search and rescue mission for the Air France flight 447 in Fernando de Noronha, 350 kms off the coast of Natal, Brazil, Tuesday.
Soldiers fuel a Brazilian Air Force plane that is part of a search and rescue mission for the Air France flight 447 in Fernando de Noronha, 350 kms off the coast of Natal, Brazil, Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
An AWACS radar plane is seen at France's military air base in Dakar, Senegal, late Tuesday. The plane will join the effort to recover debris and the black box from the missing Air France flight.
An AWACS radar plane is seen at France's military air base in Dakar, Senegal, late Tuesday. The plane will join the effort to recover debris and the black box from the missing Air France flight.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
A helicopter lands near planes during search operations of the missing Air France jet, at an airport of Fernando de Noronha, northeast of Brazil, Tuesday, June 2, 2009.
A helicopter lands near planes during search operations of the missing Air France jet, at an airport of Fernando de Noronha, northeast of Brazil, Tuesday, June 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
A Brazilian Air Force helicopter prepares to land after taking part in the searching mission of the Air France flight 447, in Fernando de Noronha, 350 kms off coast of northeastern Brazil, Tuesday.
A Brazilian Air Force helicopter prepares to land after taking part in the searching mission of the Air France flight 447, in Fernando de Noronha, 350 kms off coast of northeastern Brazil, Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Map locates area of a debris field that may be associated with the Air France jetliner missing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Map locates area of a debris field that may be associated with the Air France jetliner missing in the Atlantic Ocean.
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Timinator2K
Jun 3, 2009 5:09 AM CDT
I agree. Its like asking, is it wrong to kill anybody? Duh? We persecuted Christians think its wrong to kill, by doctrine...which includes the un-born...a defenseless class of people.
Thinker
Jun 3, 2009 2:16 AM CDT
Slate: "Is it wrong to kill an abortionist?" How can ANYONE take a publication who writes that headline seriously?
Timinator2K
Jun 3, 2009 2:14 AM CDT
Unintended edit up there... More accurate, "How to Find (what's left of) a Missing Plane." Man's technology is truly a wonderful thing...when it works or, if Nature lets it continue to exist. God Bless all the victim's families.

More Newser Stories

It's Official: US Is World's Coolest Country

Air France Pilots Didn't Know What Was Happening

Air France Searchers Recover 75 Bodies

Air France Plane Stalled, Entered 3.5-Minute Plunge

Air France Black Box: Pilot Wasn't in the Cockpit


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne