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The flight data recorder is one important piece of information in the event of a crash. Can this information not be transmitted or relayed to the ATC's while the flight is air borne so that they don't have to wait to recover the data recorder after a crash ? I mean to say that periodically the data can be sent back to a ground controller when the signal strength is high and it can be logged. Please let me know if there are any limitations to the amount of data that an air borne flight can relay back to the controller.

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    – Lnafziger
    Jul 17, 2014 at 11:04

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No, there's no data relayed like this to ATC. All ATC really gets is the filed flight plan, and then the transponder data. ATC just cares about organizing all the traffic in the skies, and making sure it is safe, orderly, and expeditious.

Some airlines use a system similar to this to relay maintenance data to the airline from the aircraft, that's how AF447 was found to have something wrong, and how they generally found it's location quickly(I think within 48 hours debris was found from the a/c due to the location info through ACARS(Aircraft Communication and Reporting System)). This system, and it's capabilities are optional and variable depending on what the airline wants to spend. This is why there's so much controversy over the loss of MH370, since they didn't have the full reporting schedule, and a very basic version.

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  • $\begingroup$ no, the "controversy" is mostly wild speculation by conspiracy theorists. $\endgroup$
    – jwenting
    Jul 17, 2014 at 10:37
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Q1 - Position, altitude, speed, heading

Can airplanes transmit/relay flight data to ATC's periodically while in flight?

Yes

1) ADS-B

Large expanses of Australia and Hudson Bay in Canada, currently without any radar coverage, are now visible on ATC screens after strategic placement of low-cost ADS-B receiving stations

From Boeing

2) Inmarsat

Inmarsat has confirmed it has proposed to ICAO a free global airline tracking service over the Inmarsat network, as part of the anticipated adoption of further aviation safety service measures by the world’s airlines following the loss of flight MH370.

From Inmarsat

Q2 - Engine temperature, flaps setting, control inputs, warnings etc

The flight data recorder is one important piece of information in the event of a crash. Can this information not be transmitted or relayed to the ATC's while the flight is air borne

No

That would be inappropriate, ATC have no interest in or use for such data. It would be better for the data to be transmitted to the aircraft operator under rules set by a regulatory authority.

Not yet

Live-streaming of flight data has been proposed by IATA and has been investigated by the NTSB amongst others.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said it was studying the possibility of live-streaming data, but Tyler said a broad consensus would be needed between airlines, major manufacturers and regulators.

"It's very important that if we're going to have regulation covering this area, that it's done on a globally consistent basis,'' said Tyler, who joined IATA in 2011 after five years as chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways.

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  • $\begingroup$ can they? in theory, if they have the equipment and there's receivers for it in place. Do they? No, not to ATC or any other "official" organisation. To their owners/operators and sometimes manufacturers is becoming more common though. $\endgroup$
    – jwenting
    Jul 17, 2014 at 10:38

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