I thought planes had GPS nowadays?

[ufo_investigations]

Don't they put hidden GPS systems on planes?

Since 1948, 83 planes have been declared missing and only three have ever been found. 80 still missing.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/the-planes-declared-missing-since-1948/story-fnizu68q-1...

[bsal6160]

its called the BlackBox but bit of a misconception as it is actually bright yellow.

[ufo_investigations]

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@bsal6160 wrote:

its called the BlackBox but bit of a misconception as it is actually bright yellow.

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The blackbox is not a GPS. That simly has a tape recorder in it which records voice and the instrument controls. I may be wrong but I think that's what it is.

Planes should have hidden GPS so air traffic control know exactly where the plane is at all times.

[acacia_pycnantha]

A GPS (even a hidden one) is only going to tell the crew of the plane where they are, even if it's crashing into the ocean. It's not set up to tell anyone else as far as I know.

[just_me_karen]

They do have GPS and communication thingies, but I saw...on twitter...a pilot say that all electronic devices can be switched off. They have to have the ability to switch them off in case there's a fire.

[freshwater-2]

The 'black box' (which, incidentally, was invented by a Melbourne scientist) only gives out a signal for about 30 days after a crash.

 However, I seem to remember that the experts were able to get info from some  black boxes even when the batteries ran out.

Perhaps others on the CS know more about this.  

[cq_tech]

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@bsal6160 wrote:

its called the BlackBox but bit of a misconception as it is actually bright yellow.

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There are actually TWO "black-boxes" in commercial aircraft, the CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder and the FDR (Flight Data Recorder).

Also, they're not yellow, but are in fact bright orange, usually with two diagonal white stripes, as per the image below.

[kopenhagen5]

Correct fresh, the signal given out enables them to be located providing one is within close proximity to receive the signal for around 30 days.

After that the signal stops transmitting but the information on the recorders is still obtainable provided the boxes are found, naturally.