The Orion was based on the Lockheed Electra which was used by Qantas in 1960's.
The Orion is a good platform as it can fly low (100ft) and slow and can operate on 3 engines to reduce fuel usage. You may notice in some of the news reports that the crew are sitting with their heads in blisters so that they can see over the side on the aircraft.
Does anyone know how much daylight is available in the search area ? (Dawn to Sunset) ?
All the sea-state determines the searchers ability to visually pick-up debris. (ie: Rough seas, debris could be hiding in the troughs of waves)
Still a needle in a smaller haystack
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