Missing MH370: Transponder May Have Been Shut Down Deliberately, Say Experts

Malaysia Star ^ | 3/14

[StormEye]

" You think every pilot since 9/11 who is Muslim is suspicious?'

Frankly, yes.

[Procyon]

I think reporters don’t understand the technology. The 14 minute gap between last transmissions is merely coincidental. ADS-B is a continuous transmission of flight position, direction and speed. The ACARS system only transmits data when it has data to transmit. It doesn’t have to be in real-time as the data is designed for maintenance and performance only and so a message is sent only at 30 minute intervals (unless there is nothing to report). Malaysia Airlines does not subscribe to the ACARS service, but Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer of the engines, does. RR did get two data feeds from the aircraft. The first reported takeoff thrust and the second reported throttle back at cruise. These are like text messages on a cell phone. Like a cell phone the SATCOM stays in touch with the network. There were no further data messages from the ACARS but apparently the SATCOM link stayed active for at least four more hours. Whoever took control of the aircraft knew enough how to disable the ADS-B and ACARS services but did not know how to disable the SATCOM system because there is no switch for it in the cockpit.

[dalereed]

This backs up the description of an expert.

A swede shoe used car salesman 50 miles from home!