In a previous paper we have successfully detected and tracked a large aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, but what about small aircraft. In this case study we detect and track the flight of a Diamond DA40 single engine aircraft registration N395JP during a 48 minute roundtrip from Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport over the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, USA and the Smith Mountain Lake then back to Roanoke.
This case study is interesting for a number of reasons.
Firstly it is the opposite of the previous studies as for a change all the information is available for the total flight. The positions are confirmed and the challenge is to find anomalies that correlate with the known positions. In a way our work will supplement and refine that done previously by Dr. Robert Westphal by tracking aircraft in the Antarctica. This case study is however in much more congested airspace and thus it is quite a step forward.
Secondly this is a much, much smaller target travelling much slower than MH370 or the Emirates flight EK421, which were both Boeing 777s. As we have found a significant number of anomalies it will confirm the suitability of the technique to more general applications.
Thirdly the short path propagation between transmitters and receivers closer to the target (i.e. in the USA/Canada region) are at much higher elevation angles than those applicable to MH370. The long distance detections from Europe etc. are however at much lower elevation angles as is the case with MH370. This will contribute to a generalised solution.
The paper can be downloaded here
Great work! Another proof of how WSPR is helping to detect an aircraft! Do you,by any chance, know when exactly Ocean Infinity is going to launch their new search?
Yours Sincerely
Fabian
@Fabian,
Welcome to the blog!
Many thanks for your kind words. The WSPRnet technology is maturing.
Ocean Infinity have not set a specific date in 2023, as they are waiting on approval from the Malaysian Government.
Hi Richard. It is clear that the only thing stopping Ocean Infinity from searching again is the promise of being reimbursed for a second search if they find the wreckage. Do you think there is another way to acquire the funds for the search other than a contract with the Malaysian government? It just seems like the Malaysian government does not want to promise anything anytime soon so why wait for them when someone else can fund the search. Maybe even like a gofundme could get the money if it reached enough people though it is a gargantuan amount of money that would need to be raised. Just a thought.
I’m happy to see that the search is still ongoing by websites like this.
The money, for the search will be a big problem since hardly anyone even remembers that event.
Governments have seemed to move on from this.
Thanks, Paul from Europe.
You can start a GoFundMe. I am sure a lot of people are willing to find the answer.
@Sroy Moeun,
Welcome to the blog!
Others have suggested such funding before. It is not necessary as there are people willing to fund a new search already.
@All,
A new article by Geoffrey Thomas at airlineratings.com titled “New Tracking Paper Reinforces MH370 Location”:
https://www.airlineratings.com/news/new-tracking-paper-reinforces-mh370-location/
@Paul,
Welcome to the blog!
The cost of a further underwater search is not a problem, compared with something similar happening again.
Ocean Infinity are willing to take the financial risk by offering a “no find, no fee” deal.
There are also philanthropists willing to finance a new search, if Malaysia does not.
I’m surprised that you have not considered your personal safety being at risk. Do you really think that the world’s military technology didn’t know where this plane had come down? Be safe my friend. Your report and findings are interesting. Tariq from West Yorkshire.
@Tariq,
Welcome to the blog!
I have considered my personal safety is at risk. I have received death threats. I consider helping to solve the mystery of MH370 is very important for the flying public, the aviation industry and the next of kin of those lost on MH370.
If the world’s military technology knows where MH370 crashed, why were the Governments of Malaysia, Australia and China not informed so they could narrow their unsuccessful underwater search to less than 120,000 km2 at their tax payer’s cost?
Given the fact that Australia is a member of the so called five eyes intelligence alliance whose members are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, if any of those countries knew where MH370 crashed they are obliged to share their intelligence with the other members.
In addition to the “Five Eyes” intelligence network, the “Five Power Defence Arrangements”, headquartered in Butterworth, Malaysia are also worth considering.
Under the arrangements Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the UK aggree to consult each other immendiately if there is an attack, or a threat of an attack on any member.
MH370 vanished from civilian radar and headed towards Penang at a time when international tensions were extremely high following extensive military activity in and around Crimea and missile firing from North Korea.
If at any point in the first couple of hours of the flight the militaries of Singapore or Malaysia had regarded the unusual behaviour of MH370 as potentially threatening, they would have communicated as much to the UK, Australia and New Zealand.