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While such a thing may be possible, I don't think it's as easy as he suggests. I've been involved in the design and certification of wi-fi systems on airliners, and one thing the FAA required us to make sure of was that it was not possible to hack into aircraft systems via wi-fi. Any interfaces with aircraft systems were receive-only.
The researcher claims he can access the flight management computer by sending a message through ACARS or ADS-B. Seems pretty far-fetched to me, especially from a phone app. Plus wouldn't he have to know what kind of FMC the plane had in order to know what code to send it?
To me, it's just a lot of needless hyperventilating in the media over something that is really unlikely.
I think this is a bit far fetched...The ACARS is used to send communication to ground stations, and are coded to send directly to your company's dispatch center, who, are using a computer system...so hacking into that, is possible. The ACARS is only one aspect of the Flight Management System. Saying that you have the ability to hack into an ACARS, and which works through the same system that controls speed, altitude, and direction is stretching things a bit...it's the equivilant of saying "I can send you an e-mail, and by sending you an e-mail can force you to get off the couch and go into the kitchen to make me a sandwich".
If the company (dispatch) sends a flight crew a message via the ACARS, it will have ZERO bearing on aircraft speed, altitude, or direction. They may send a recommendation to avoid upcoming weather, tell someone to call their family when they land, or explain what gate you're parking at. Directional and altitude guidance is given from ATC alone, and done via radio traffic. The pilots then input the data either into the FMS which is synced with the auto pilot, or they make the necessary changes into the autopilot system directly.
I guess this guy is alleging that there is no system security between the FMS ACARS accessibility and the navigational units of the FMS. I find that part interesting, but it would take much more than his current allegations to convince me that it's possible.
ACARS is not the problem. The problem is the ADS-B. Too many security flaws in the system as of now. Will someone control an aircraft through the system, I doubt that, but the other possibilities is pretty scary.
Overcoming it is easy. Lets see buttons that will turn off the autopilot on the most large planes. Autopilot trim disconnect button (Two of those), take off / go around button (Two of those), the AP button , nose up / nose down trim toggle (two of those) , hit the stall warning test button, and if all else fails pull the circuit breaker for the Autopilot.
Anyways, as long as their is there are pilots up front things will be just fine.
I think this is a bit far fetched...The ACARS is used to send communication to ground stations, and are coded to send directly to your company's dispatch center, who, are using a computer system...so hacking into that, is possible. The ACARS is only one aspect of the Flight Management System. Saying that you have the ability to hack into an ACARS, and which works through the same system that controls speed, altitude, and direction is stretching things a bit...it's the equivilant of saying "I can send you an e-mail, and by sending you an e-mail can force you to get off the couch and go into the kitchen to make me a sandwich".
If the company (dispatch) sends a flight crew a message via the ACARS, it will have ZERO bearing on aircraft speed, altitude, or direction. They may send a recommendation to avoid upcoming weather, tell someone to call their family when they land, or explain what gate you're parking at. Directional and altitude guidance is given from ATC alone, and done via radio traffic. The pilots then input the data either into the FMS which is synced with the auto pilot, or they make the necessary changes into the autopilot system directly.
I guess this guy is alleging that there is no system security between the FMS ACARS accessibility and the navigational units of the FMS. I find that part interesting, but it would take much more than his current allegations to convince me that it's possible.
ACARS will replace HF, no need for SELCAL soon hopefully. Btw you CAN have the ADS, ADC & ECU talk to the ACARS system... in fact many airlines use this to measure fuel consumption, ROD at TD (vertical speed upon landing) and in the future even more tightly packed RVSM capabilities... like in uncontrolled NAT's.
None of it is enough to control an aircraft though.
ACARS is not the problem. The problem is the ADS-B. Too many security flaws in the system as of now. Will someone control an aircraft through the system, I doubt that, but the other possibilities is pretty scary.
There are only 4 things that will change A/P modes, none of them go through ADS-B
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