Reply #13: This can be fixed for $10 per plane with no extra downtime [View All]

[jmowreader]

If unsophisticated terrorists who can't fly Cessnas can magically make a 200-ton plane disappear by flicking a switch, the solution is easy:

1. Get an inch of wire.

2. Remove the transponder breaker from the panel.

3. Solder the inch of wire across the two terminals on the back of the breaker.

This way the only way to shut off the transponder is to throw the main breaker, which kills all the power to the aircraft.

A commercial airliner must be completely dismantled every so often so they can inspect all of its parts. This is the time to hard-wire the transponders on.

The heck with "hijacking alerts." That might be too expensive, but fixing the transponder so you can't shut it off is almost free.