Welcome!

Jon Thompson• West Point Grad• M.S. Aerospace Engineering

(Texas)• Vietnam Vet/Combat Pilot• Venture capitalist• Former Director of Cultural Affairs,

City of Memphis• Developed touring exhibitions• Dived on the Titanic• Working to solve the mystery of

Amelia Earhart

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityFebruary 9, 2017

Amelia Earhart Discovery Project

PASSION,

PATIENCE and

persistence

Recently discovered photograph found in Japan. Believed to be taken from a Japanese fishing vessel on July 2, 1937 near Howland Island.

JUSTKIDDING!

How it was done

Amelia Earhart History

Amelia Earhart: July 2, 1937, 8:43 a.m. “We must be on you but cannot

see you … gas is running low………”

Amelia EarhartHow I got hooked!

“Preparation is rightly two-thirds of any venture.”

Amelia Earhart

• A call from Fred Smith• A visit to Nauticos• A meeting with Elgen Long• Titanic Expedition 2000• Blackbeard Cannon Recovery 2001

Technical Basis for Search• 30-years of research by Elgen Long,

pilot & author.*• Aeronautical analysis of Earhart’s fuel

consumption (Cal Tech).• Engineering analysis of Earhart’s radio

transmissions (Collins Radio).*• Scientific analysis of Visual Range

Acquisition (MIT Lincoln Labs).• Study of 1930’s aerial navigational techniques –

specifically those used by Earhart/Noonan.• Navigational reconstruction - RENAV™.*• Technological advances in deep ocean searches.*

Keys to Success:

* Items proprietary to Nauticos

Summary of Successes I-52: Japanese WWII Submarine

Located: Atlantic Ocean 17,000’ INS DAKAR

Located: Mediterranean Sea 10,000’Salvaged 4-ton section of hull

Battle of Midway: Japanese Aircraft Carrier IJN KAGA

Located: Pacific Ocean 17,500’Produced Discovery Channel documentary

Discovery of Ancient Shipwreck (300 BC)Located: Mediterranean Sea 10,000’

1937 48-Star Flag

Mermaid Vigilance

Team Nauticos

Longitude

Latit

ude

Probable Flight Path

150 E 155 E 160 E 165 E 170 E 175 E 180 175 W

0

5 N

10 N

5 S

10 S

Lae

Howland I.

Baker I.

Nukumanu I.

Nauru I.

USS Ontario

SS Myrtlebank

Ocean I.

Tabiteuea Atoll

145 E

Earhart Flight, Lae to Howland I.

Radio S-4

Radio S-3

Direct Flight PathRadio Range Circles

Radio S-1

Amelia’s Final MessagesJuly 3, 1937

Radio calls by Earhart (call sign KHAQQ) as heard by Coast Guard Ship ITASCA anchored off Howland Island.

1745: ITASCA log, “About 200 miles out, approximately. Whistling now.” (signal strength S-3)

1815: ITASCA log, “Please take bearing on us and report in half hour. I will make noise in microphone. About 100 miles out.” (S-4, getting stronger)

1912: ITASCA log, “KHAQQ calling ITASCA. We must be on you but cannot see you but gas is running low. Been unable to reach you by radio. We are flying at altitude 1000 feet.” (S-5)

1928: ITASCA log, “KHAQQ calling ITASCA. We are circling but cannot hear you. Go ahead on 7500 [kHz] with a long count either now or on the scheduled time on half hour.” (S-5+)

1930: ITASCA log, “KHAQQ calling ITASCA. We received your signals but unable to get a minimum. Please take bearing on us and answer 3105 [kHz] with voice.” [Earhart then sent a series of long dashes on 3105 kHz.] (S-5+)

2014: ITASCA log, “KHAQQ to ITASCA. We are on the line 157–337. Will repeat message. We will repeat this on 6210 kcs. Wait. We are running north and south on the line. Listening 6210 kcs.” (S-5)

… nothing further was heard from Amelia Earhart.

Scenario 1 Tracks at Howland I.

2040 2060 2080 2100 2120 2140 2160 2180 2200 2220 2240X (nm from Lae)

Y (n

m fr

om L

ae)

DR Track

Smoothed Track

Uncertainty Ellipse

Howland I.

Baker I.

Visual Range Circles

380

400

420

440

460

480

Other Scenario Outcomes

Final Assimilation of Scenarios

2040 2060 2080 2100 2120 2140 2160 2180 2200 2220 2240X (nm from Lae)

Y (n

m fr

om L

ae)

Baker I.

Visual Range Circles

380

400

Howland I.

420

440

460

480

Other Scenario Outcomes

Final Assimilation of Scenarios

Uncertainty Ellipse

Highest Probability Search Area

REMUS 6000

Launch Preparation

Launch

Deck for Sonars

AFTER DISCOVERY AND RECOVERYTHE DESIGN AND ECONOMICS OF A MEGA EXHIBITION

WHAT’S NEXT?

“Begin with the end in mind ...” Stephen Covey

WE’RE GOING BACK

TO COMPLETE THE JOB THIS MONTH!!!!

“… decide … whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying.”

Amelia Earhart

STAY TUNED!

Upcoming Spring 2017Webinars:Mar. 9 Cross-Cultural Project ManagementApr. 13 10 Traits Every Leader Should HaveMay 11 An Introduction to Human Factors in AviationJun. 22 How to Create a Career Enhancement Toolkit

webinars.erau.edu