Likes Likes:  10
Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 32

Thread: Can a plane really go missing?

  1. #1
    Dinger of Hum Chronopolitano's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Chronopolis
    Posts
    1,561

    Can a plane really go missing?

    Another said to be missing. Just gone.

    I ask this in complete ignorance, and since there appears to be a lot of engineers here, here goes;

    Is it really possible for a commercial airline to just disappear without a trace?

    I've talked to a professional pilot and he told me "Yes" - especially if there is a fire, bcz it is very easy to be asphyxiated in a very short amount of time, and in such an event, the pilot's main priority is not to call for help but to steer the plane and try to land somewhere safe. But if he fails, then he may never have a chance to phone home. So, if a plane disappears, it can do so without any communication as to whether there was a malfunction.

    And, if the fire is somehow extinguished, but all the crew are dead anyway, a plane can and would most likely fly indefinitely on auto pilot, incommunicado.

    Moreover, if there is no satellite looking at the area where it went missing at the time it went missing, there is no data regarding a plane's disappearance.

    That said, what I want to to know is:
    Do we really NOT have that kind of technology
    - to see the entire surface of the planet 24-7?
    Or rather, do we have it but do not wish to divulge its existence - ostensibly for national security reasons?
    Last edited by Chronopolitano; Dec 28, 2014 at 05:29 PM.

  2. #2
    Moderator - Central tribe125's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Kent - UK
    Posts
    18,855
    Do we really NOT have that kind of technology - to see the entire surface of the planet 24-7?

    Not every square yard at once, no.

  3. #3
    Bone Collector Bwana's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Deep in the Timber
    Posts
    1,817
    I pondered this very question the last time, until she explained it in depth....now a lot of things make sense

    Name:  palin.jpg
Views: 310
Size:  30.5 KB

    Ok, any questions ?

  4. Likes Nokie, synequano, geoffbot liked this post
  5. #4
    Ich bin ein Ebeler! WWII70's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Boston ex-pat Brit
    Posts
    4,506
    ..
    Last edited by WWII70; Dec 28, 2014 at 10:55 PM. Reason: removed, lack of context
    Ebels (lots), IWC, Omega, FC, Eterna, Tag, Invicta, Movado
    If you are interested in the details http://www.intlwatchleague.com/membe...70&tab=aboutme

  6. #5
    Ich bin ein Ebeler! WWII70's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Boston ex-pat Brit
    Posts
    4,506
    Say it ain't so......

    Quote Originally Posted by Bwana View Post

    Name:  palin.jpg
Views: 310
Size:  30.5 KB
    Ebels (lots), IWC, Omega, FC, Eterna, Tag, Invicta, Movado
    If you are interested in the details http://www.intlwatchleague.com/membe...70&tab=aboutme

  7. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by tribe125 View Post
    Do we really NOT have that kind of technology - to see the entire surface of the planet 24-7?

    Not every square yard at once, no.
    Exactly, it's rather a big planet

    or we haven't got big enough LCD monitors yet , one or the other.

  8. #7
    The Dude Abides Nokie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    3,518
    Most excellent!

    "Either He's Dead, Or My Watch Has Stopped....."
    Groucho Marx

  9. Likes Bwana liked this post
  10. #8
    KEØJNF Spooky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Lincoln, NE
    Posts
    1,714
    Blog Entries
    12
    I would expect certain parts of the ocean to hide a plane quite well.

  11. #9
    Savagely Average
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Cloud 9
    Posts
    2,816
    I really would have expected there to be electronic eyes on every plane flying in that part of the world after what happened earlier this year. Surprising and sad

  12. #10
    Watch Geek T Bone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Metro Detroit
    Posts
    1,226
    Yep, it really can.
    Regards, T Bone

    Even a broken watch shows correct time once or twice a day. I ought to know, I have a few!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
About Us
We are an independent and wide-ranging forum for watch enthusiasts. From mainspring to microchip, from Europe to Asia, from micro-brand to boutique - we cover it all. Novice or expert, we want you to feel at home. Whether it's asking a simple question or contributing to the fund of horological knowledge, it's all the same hobby. Or, if you like, you can just show us a picture of your new watch. We'll provide the welcoming and courteous environment, the rest is up to you!
Join us