FCC was supposed to be tracking this down (yes they have DF equipment which could narrow it down, and then they'd have to pull CVRs from one or more suspect planes). Wish they'd get on with it, convict a couple idiots on some federal charges and presumably shred their certificates and it would all stop the next day.

Oh please please please.

That’s like when I used to watch those movies about the CIA tracking and killing all those terrorists with crazy high-tech satellites and seal teams. Then it took like 20 years to catch Osama.

Basically it’s impossible to catch the “meow” bandit(s)

That being said.... if they can catch me, I will happily shred my own certificate.

The coolest thing I heard on guard was a Cessna 182 driver who was spiraling down after complete engine loss, center- Cessna anything else we can do?" Cessna- cool as cucumber says "ahh center could you call the FBO at xxx and have them come out with a tug and meet me at mid field", talk about staying ahead of the game!

I've been in the room for that, it's real. But they mostly use airstrikes. UBL had a lot of help to stay hidden. The PAK ISI was pretty familiar with the TTPs used to locate and track badguys... and they are, shall we say, sympathetic to the badguys.


FCC has mobile DF units for exactly this reason... locating unauthorized users of the RF spectrum. Otherwise it would be the wild wild west out there.

The challenge for aircraft is it would take a while to get a plane DF-ed when no other planes were within the RMS error. Once you do that, just have feds meet the plane at the gate and secure the CVR as evidence. Would also need a flight that landed within 2 hours of the offense. So some effort required, but the FCC employs people who do that for a living. You'd only have to do it once and all the rest would STHU...

Don’t tell him. I’d pay to watch him shred his certificate. And flush thousands of dollars of training down the drain.

He won't have to, they'll do it for him if he's the lucky winner.

Actually it would help move the FCC along if the media did an expose on this... it would be easy for them to get all kinds of great examples with a VHF radio anywhere on the eastern seaboard.

Easier said .... I just don’t buy it. FAA having updated equipment, getting the union on board with taking the CVR...etc. not ever going to happen

In the old days you would need a longer transmission. But software defined radios can do amazing things now.

Spies and other covert operators in recent times have used burst transmitters to avoid being DF-ed... that naturally drove the application of new technology to DF burst transmission. Let's just say that "Meow" is more than long enough now. Assuming FCC has, or can borrow, the good stuff.

Has nothing to do with the FAA.

It would be FCC enforcement, which does this for a living. CVR can be seized as evidence by federal LE... you're smoking some really good stuff if you think the union can prevent that :rolleyes: Union rep would end up face down on the pavement in handcuffs.