Washington, DC - Incident highlights outdated air-traffic system

[Thunderbolt]

WASHINGTON -- The odyssey of an airliner that flew hundreds of miles while out of radio communication highlights the weaknesses of the nation's outdated air-traffic system, according to aviation experts and controllers.

Incident highlights outdated air-traffic system - USATODAY.com

[DaveNF2G]

It's not a system problem if it doesn't happen constantly. It is a problem involving the crew who made the error.

[ab3a]

I have had cases where I have similar things happen to me on an IFR flight plan. However, in my case, the air traffic controller lost track of me and failed to call me to hand me off to the next controller.

In my case, however, I was monitoring 121.5. They made a brief call to me, I responded and they immediately gave me a new frequency for my new handoff.

The problem was that the pilots weren't listening. They were engrossed in an activity that had nothing to do with flying the aircraft. You can install the fanciest radio system in the world and it wouldn't have stopped this incident from happening.

Once again, we have outside experts pontificating about stuff of which they know very little. It's like those idiots who constantly harp on aviation engines without understanding the environments in which they operate.

[abqscan]

[QUOTE=ab3a;1187280]You can install the fanciest radio system in the world and it wouldn't have stopped this incident from happening. [QUOTE]


Be careful what you say.... I can see the airlines installing an aiplane version of "OnStar" in their planes to "ensure" the safety of everyone onboard the aircraft. I'd hate to be flying knowing corperate can spy in on the cockpit!

[robertmac]

This didn't cause any injuries or deaths. How many motor vehicle injuries/deaths are caused by inattention by drivers every minute! That is far more worrisome in my mind.

[letarotor]

This USA Today article is complete rubbish. Blaming this incident on a poor radio system is rediculous. There was nothing wrong with their radios. I believe they also failed to respond to messages sent by their company via what I assume was ACARS. The only failure in that cockpit was the thinking space between the ears of both pilots. It amazes me the so-called experts who are willing to say anything to reporters just to get their name in print. Generally they have no idea what they are talking about and the reporter assigned to the story has even less knowledge. This is one reason why you see this particular rag given away free at most motel/hotels and still filling news stands when all other local papers have been sold out. USA Today simply has no credibility, and this article is yet another shining example.

[wcr20]

What's next - tie ACARS into a seat buzzer?

[dd364]

Next they will have to pass a law for texting while flying.

"The FAA and other regulators around the world want to build a digital radio system that would carry sounds more clearly and allow for controllers and pilots to send text messages."