If there is ever to be an answer to what caused Air France Flight 447 to fall from the sky, the best clues probably lie on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean amid rugged volcanic ridges and steep trenches, some plunging deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Search planes scouring the area Tuesday spotted a seat, an orange buoy, a tank and a fuel slick about 400 miles off the Brazilian coast. Brazilian authorities identified them as pieces from the Airbus A330 that disappeared late Sunday, and French officials reiterated that there was virtually no chance that any of the 228 people aboard survived.Most of the wreckage is probably resting now 9,000 feet to 14,000 feet below the surface, where it is pitch black, the water temperature is 40 degrees and the pressure as high as 7,000 pounds per square inch, scientists said.
Investigators will have to send robotic submarines into this hostile environment to look for crucial pieces of evidence in the disappearance of the Paris-bound flight.
A battery-operated sonar "pinger," 4 inches long and about an inch in diameter, should already have started sending out acoustic signals from the ocean bottom about once every second. The pinger is attached to the flight data recorder, which is embedded in the rear section of the jetliner's fuselage. Another pinger is attached to the cockpit voice recorder.
Even with the help of those homing signals, the task of finding the debris amid the rugged seascape will not be easy, experts said. And if searchers find them, they will face challenges reaching the wreckage and determining what happened.
"You want to treat it like a crime scene, taking detailed photographs," said Dave Gallo, director of special operations at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. "In the past, the urge was to remove evidence as quickly as possible, but before you disturb anything you want a detailed survey."
The floating debris was spotted north of the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha off the Brazilian coast, suggesting that the plane disappeared not long after it last radioed its position.
But wind and ocean currents may have pushed the floating debris miles from the impact point in the intervening day, and it will be difficult for investigators to pinpoint the location of the most important pieces of evidence, the two so-called black boxes that record flight data and the voices of the pilots.
Brazilian air force Col. Jorge Amaral offered another explanation for why debris might be found slightly off the scheduled flight path. The pilots might have been attempting to make a turn, he said, acknowledging that his theory was only speculation.
The search crews have about 30 days before the batteries on the homing devices run out, said Thomas A. Greenacre, president of Dukane Corp.'s Seacom Division, the largest supplier of acoustic homing devices.
"It is at an extreme depth," Greenacre said. "The location and recovery will be very difficult." He said the beacons aboard the Airbus A330 were probably made by Dukane, but he could not be certain.
Plane crash investigations have recovered data from deep waters, but seldom at the depths that will be encountered in the case of Flight 447.
Most of the wreckage, as well as many human remains, were recovered from TWA Flight 800, a Boeing 747 that crashed off Long Island in 1996. But that plane sank in water only 120 feet deep, and at that depth divers were able to help.
Wreckage of the space shuttle Challenger and the remains of the astronauts were recovered off the Florida coast at a depth of less than 1,000 feet in 1986.
Debris from the crash of the small plane that took the life of John F. Kennedy Jr. nearly a decade ago was recovered from the Atlantic, but again from relatively shallow waters.
In 1987, a South African Airways 747 crashed into the Indian Ocean off the island nation of Mauritius, sinking to a depth of about 16,000 feet. After an unsuccessful two-month search by the South African military, the U.S. Navy was able to locate the wreckage and the cockpit voice recorder. The accident was eventually blamed on cargo that caught fire.
The wreckage of the Air France jetliner probably will contain much of the information that will be crucial to determining the cause of the crash, which occurred in a violent thunderstorm.
Search planes and ships converged on the area Tuesday, but clouds and more storms complicated their efforts.
Reaching any conclusion will require a wealth of data about the flight parameters, engine condition and discussions in the cockpit. Investigators will need to determine whether the wreckage shows any sign of an explosion and whether the aircraft broke apart before hitting the water.
The first step in getting that information will involve sending crews to the most likely impact point, where they will lower hydrophones into the water and attempt to pick up the homing signals. They will try to pinpoint the spot in the ocean directly over the wreckage, said Laurence Madin, director of research at Woods Hole.
The area of the crash is on the western flank of a mostly undersea mountain range called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs roughly north and south down the middle of the Atlantic. It was formed by plate movements and volcanoes, creating a geology of hard dense rock. It will make sonar operations particularly difficult, creating "shadows" in the signals that could mask the wreckage, Gallo said.
Once the wreckage is located, investigators probably will want detailed photographs of the debris field on the ocean floor before any recovery operations begin.
Only a few nations have the deep submersible vessels that can go to 14,000 feet. Woods Hole just sent one of its new robotic craft to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific, the deepest place in any ocean on Earth -- more than 35,000 feet.
The Alvin, owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by Woods Hole, can send a crew of three down to about 17,000 feet, but, at least initially, investigators probably will opt for a robotic craft for safety.
The robotic craft are connected to a mother ship by a fiber-optic umbilical cord, feeding video of the undersea scene. The craft has manipulator arms that can use tools to cut into the fuselage and extract the flight recorders.
The bigger question is whether French investigators will attempt to salvage the entire aircraft wreckage, as was done in the case of the TWA accident, and the remains of the passengers. link....
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
In Air France crash, deep seas stand between experts and answers
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Commission in Army Education Corps
MA/MSc Ist &2nd Division as regular student in the following subjects alongwith minimum one year teaching experience at a reputable/ recognized institution. Candidates with M Phil/PHD in the relevant subject and teaching experience at a reputable/ recognized institution will be given preference and seniority: - All the candidates having dual nationality will have to initiate the process for reduction of their foreign nationality and will give an undertaking before joining the Army that they will complete the procedure for renunciation of their foreign nationality before completion of their training. Those failing to renounce their foreign nationality or to complete the procedure are not granted commission. Additionally, they are liable to pay the training charges/bond money and will instead have to seek release/ discharge from the Army. Already screened out twice by Inter Service Selection Board (ISSB), General Headquarters (GHQ), Naval Headquarters (NHQ) Air Headquarters (AHQ) Selection Boards for any type of commission in the Armed Forces. Candidates twice rejected for Pakistan Military Academy Long Course equivalent of Pakistan Air Force or Pakistan Navy. However candidates after their postgraduate studies may avail third chance. A candidate who is rejected once by ISSB for PMA or equivalent Navy /PAF Course and once rejected for Direct Short Service Commission Entry, will not be eligible for commission. Candidates twice rejected with postgraduate qualifications are also, ineligible to apply. Candidates possessing M. Phil and PH.D and experience can be considered for grant of the rank of Major and ante date seniority under the existing rules. On successful completion of basic military training candidates are granted commission in the Army in the temporary rank of Captain. link...
QUALIFICATION/SUBJECTS.
English
Physics
Mathematics
Political Science
Islamic Studies
History
Computer Science
MBA
Education
Literacy Science
Urdu
Human Resource Development
Male citizens of Pakistan and domicile of Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas.
Respective subject.
General knowledge and English
Intelligence/Psychological Tests.
Final Interview of successful candidates by GHQ Selection Board.
Medical Examination at Military Hospital nearest to their home stations.
Final selection will be made at GHQ based on overall performance of candidates
Candidates finally selected will undergo 6 months basic military training at PMA Kakul.
Join Pakistan Army as Psychologist
Labels: pak army commissionSELECTION CRITERIA.
| TYPE OF COMMISSION. | ||
| Direct short service commission in army as Psychologist (Male). | |
| QUALIFICATION. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Master degree in Psychology with minimum 2nd Division from a Pakistani or foreign university, Doctorate, M. Phil, Postgraduate Research or teaching experience will be given preference. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Short Service Commission in Remount Veterinary and Farming Corps
Labels: pak army commissionNote. Candidates who have appeared in final DVM examination and result has not been announced are not eligible to Candidates having dual nationality will initiate the process for renunciation of the foreign nationality and will give an undertaking before joining the Army that they will complete the procedure for renunciation of their foreign nationality before completion of training. Those failing to renounce their foreign nationality or to complete the procedure will not be granted commission. Additionally, they will be liable to pay the training charges/Bond money and will instead have to seek release /discharge from the Army. Twice screened out/rejected by ISSB/GHQ or NHQ/AHQ Selection Boards for any type of commission in the Armed Forces. Candidates twice rejected for Pakistan Military Academy Long Course / Officer Training School Short Course / equivalent of Pakistan Air Force or Pakistan Navy may avail third chance after their post graduate studies. Candidates twice rejected with post graduate qualifications are however ineligible to apply. Convicted by a Court of Law for an offence involving moral turpitude. On successful completion of basic military training candidates will be granted commission in the Army in the temporary rank of Captain. link.... Serving VASs of RV&FC 21-35 years. For Civilians 21-28 years
apply. Male citizens of Pakistan/Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas national and state subject of class-1.
Previously declared medically unfit by Appeal Medical Board for Army, Navy, PAF are ineligible. However, those who were declared unfit by an ordinary medical board may apply. Such candidates will undergo medical re-examination by an Appeal Medical Board.
Released or discharged or withdrawn from Armed Forces or any of its training establishments.
Preliminary written test by Screening Board at Military Veterinary Hospital Rawalpindi. Intelligence/ Personality Tests. Interview by GHQ Selection Board. Medical examination at military hospital nearest to their home stations. Final selection will be made at GHQ based on overall performance of candidates. Candidates finally selected will undergo 22 weeks basic military training at PMA Kakul.
Regular Commission in Pakistan Army
Labels: pak army commissionCOMMISSIONING.
Basing on the instructions issued from GHQ, PA Dte, advertisement is published in print media. Candidates are given date for test after verification of their documents/academic certificates and registration. Those who qualify the Intelligence/Written test are called for preliminary medical exam. Candidates declared medically fit are interviewed by a board of officers headed by a Brigadier as President. Details of selection criteria for commissioning candidates are spelled out in succeeding paragraphs.
SELECTION CRITERIA – COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
NATIONALITY. Male citizen of Pakistan or Azad Kashmir Domiciles and state subjects of class – I.
Note. Pakistani National having dual nationality at selection, will be required to renounce their foreign nationality before completion of training/grant of commission.
MARITAL STATUS.
Unmarried (serving personnel of the Armed Forces over 20 years of age are eligible, even if married)
AGE ON 01 MAY/ NOV.
Intermediate or equivalent 17-22 Years.
Graduates 17-23 Years.
Serving Armed/Civil Armed Forces personnel 17-23 Years.
Note. Relaxation of under/over age period for maximum up to 3 months for special deserving cases is allowed.
PHYSICAL STANDARDS.
Minimum Height. 5’-4” (162.5 cm)
Visual Standard
Distant Vision with glass 6/9, 6/12
Near Vision J2, J7 or N8, N12 with or without glasses.
Physical fitness. The candidates must qualify the following physical standard at the time of preliminary selection:-
1.6 Km Run –7.5 Minutes
Push Ups – 15 repetitions in 2 Minutes
Sit Ups –15 repetitions in 2 Minutes
Chin Ups –3 repetitions in 2 Minutes
RIGISTRATION AND PRELIMINARY SELECTION.
Candidates will have to report at the Army Selection & Recruitment Centres (AS&RCs) for their registration/Roll number allotment and for the date, time etc of the tests.
Registration is carried out at Army Selection & Recruitment Centres (AS&RCs) from Monday to Sunday.
Intelligence/Other tests are conducted at Army Selection & Recruitment Centres (AS&RCs). On the day of the registration, candidates will deposit Rs.200/- with the staff of Selection and Recruitment Office.
Preliminary Selection.
Intelligence test, written test (on computers), medical examination, physical fitness test and interview will be carried out as per laid down programme under arrangements of AS&RCs listed at the end. Candidates will produce Matric certificate provisional/photo copy of Intermediate certificate or Marks Sheet, BA/BSc degree or Mark Sheet, and 3xphotographs duly attested by Principle/ Class 1 Gazetted officer/Ist Class Magistrate for preliminary selection. In case a candidate has not been issued with Matric Certificate, he is required to produce Matric Marks Sheet and school leaving certificate indicating date of birth. Matric certificate of recommended/not recommended candidates will be retained with AS&RC till a given date.
Note. DMC and original Matric/Equivalent certificates DMC/Result Card for Part-1 and Part-II of Intermediate and Identity Card or Form B will be attached with application form.
FURTHER SELECTION.
ISSB Test and Interview
Candidates qualifying preliminary selection/falling in merit are sent to ISSB for further tests and interview.
Medical Examination.
Candidates recommended by ISSB appear before a Medical Board in the local CMH/MH for assessing their medical fitness immediately after recommendation by ISSB.
Final Selection.
The final selection is made at GHQ on the basis of candidates overall performance.
Training Period
2 Years at PMA Kakul
INELIGIBILITIES.
Screened out/Rejected twice by ISSB
Declared medically unfit by an appeal Medical Board (Army)
Enrolled Cadets withdrawn/resigned / discharged / dismissed from Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) training academy/institutions on the grounds of discipline, character, failure in academics/military subjects, medical inefficiency, weak profile and any other unsuitability grounds or having received character certificate ‘fair’.
An individual dismissed/removed from other Government Services
link...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
New Orleans gets 2013 Super Bowl, its 10th
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - New Orleans is a Super Bowl city again.
NFL owners voted Tuesday to play the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, the first time the championship game will be played there since Hurricane Katrina shredded parts of the Louisiana Superdome. The hurricane caused 1,600 deaths and devastated the Gulf Coast four years ago.
New Orleans beat out Miami - which sought a record 11th Super Bowl - and 2008 host Glendale, Ariz., for the game. This is the 10th time New Orleans will be the site for the Super Bowl.
New Orleans last hosted in 2002, when Adam Viniateri's 48-yard field goal as time expired lifted New England over St. Louis. link...
Plans in Motion
Labels: SPORTS
Nintendo has announced pricing and Australian release dates for the Wii MotionPlus accessory and the sequel to the best selling video game of all time, Wii Sports Resort.
The MotionPlus add-on, which more accurately tracks player movements than a standard Wii Remote, will be released on June 11 for $29.95.
The beach-themed Wii Sports Resort, which features activities like Frisbee throwing, jetski racing, fencing, golf and table tennis, will be released on July 23 for $99.95. Resort will come bundled with one MotionPlus accessory.
Third-party ames compatible with MotionPlus include Sega's Virtua Tennis 2009, EA's Grand Slam Tennis, Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 10, and Ubisoft's Red Steel . link...
