Slides from a Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University webinar presented Feb. 2017. Features noted Amelia Earhart expert Jon Thompson. Thompson has done several searches for Earhart's plane and believes he is close to finding it. This webinar reviews the fateful last trip, and what efforts have been done to find the aircraft.

1. Welcome!

2. 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

4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University
February 9, 2017
Amelia Earhart Discovery Project

5. PASSION,
PATIENCE
and
persistence

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

7. JUST
KIDDING!

8. How it was done

9. 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………”

10. Amelia Earhart
How 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

11. 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

12. 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’

13. 1937 48-Star Flag

14. Mermaid Vigilance

15. Team Nauticos

16. Longitude
Latitude
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 Path
Radio Range Circles
Radio S-1

17. Amelia’s Final Messages
July 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.

18. Scenario 1 Tracks
at Howland I.
2040 2060 2080 2100 2120 2140 2160 2180 2200 2220 2240
X (nm from Lae)
Y(nmfromLae)
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

19. 2040 2060 2080 2100 2120 2140 2160 2180 2200 2220 2240
X (nm from Lae)
Y(nmfromLae)
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

20. REMUS 6000

21. Launch Preparation

22. Launch

23. Deck for Sonars

44. AFTER
DISCOVERY
AND
RECOVERY
THE DESIGN AND ECONOMICS OF A MEGA EXHIBITION

49. WHAT’S NEXT?
“Begin with the end in mind ...”
Stephen Covey

50. WE’RE GOING BACK
TO COMPLETE THE JOB
THIS MONTH!!!!

51. “… decide … whether or not the goal
is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop
worrying.”
Amelia Earhart
STAY TUNED!

53. Upcoming Spring 2017Webinars:
Mar. 9 Cross-Cultural Project Management
Apr. 13 10 Traits Every Leader Should Have
May 11 An Introduction to Human Factors in Aviation
Jun. 22 How to Create a Career Enhancement Toolkit
webinars.erau.edu