Possible that China has information, and found Transponders For Dummies ... and I am one (a dummy) ... http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2012/05/20/transponders-for-dummies/
Could it be possible to hijack a plane and disable all telemetry and communication to steal the plane under the radar?
Seems possible and have been wanting to ask this myself but this would be way over the top ... or is it?
What can you do with knowledge of this stuff?
I understand there are many buttons and switches to attend to for takeoff but at least in my Honda Ridgeline if I forget to put my seatbelt on it makes a dinging sound. I’d think that any button or switch concerning air pressure ought to send off a siren or two. As an aside, let me state that Free Republic is the most fascinating when discussing technical matters like this.