Black boxes used in airplanes are very important devices for aviation. Its main function is to record the data and conversations carried out during a flight. They are mainly used to clarify aerial incidents.
Purpose of the black box
The first black box prototype was designed in 1939 by French engineer François Hussenot. It was rudimentary and used photographic film calibrated with mirrors. Sensors on board flashed the film to record the flight history.
The device is used to investigate accidents and air incidents. It stores vital information about the flight, allowing investigators to reconstruct the events. Thanks to it, failures can be identified and safety standards improved.
It resists extreme conditions and consists of two essential devices; the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder.
FDR – Flight Data Recorder
The FDR collects technical parameters of the aircraft, such as altitude, speed and heading. It also monitors the performance of systems and engines, providing a detailed picture of the aircraft’s status before and during the incident.
CVR – Cockpit Voice Recorder
The CVR records conversations between pilots and those with air traffic control. It also captures cockpit sounds, such as alarms and communications, providing context about the crew’s decisions and actions.
Features, design and durability
Despite its name, the black box is neither black nor box-shaped. It can be cylindrical or spherical. They are painted orange to facilitate their location among the remains of an accident. This color, known as international orange, is used in the aerospace industry to highlight objects in their environment. For example, it is also used in the suits of NASA astronauts.
They are designed and built to withstand extreme conditions, with highly resistant materials, capable of withstanding violent impacts, high temperatures and underwater depths. This ensures data recovery even in the most severe accidents.
Generally, they are strategically installed in the tail of the plane. This location increases the chances of survival in an accident, since it is the least affected part during impacts.
They have evolved significantly since their creation. Recent advances include image data recording, capturing information from displays and other cockpit visual systems.
And what is the process to recover the recorded information?
After an accident, the priority is to recover the black boxes. Search teams use advanced technologies to locate them, they can even locate them underwater. Some aircraft now have black boxes that deploy automatically. In the event of an accident over water, these boxes separate from the plane and float, making them easier to locate. Once recovered, the data is analyzed in specialized laboratories.
Impact on aviation safety
Black boxes revolutionized aircraft accident investigation. Thanks to them, significant improvements in aviation could be implemented. Safety regulations are continually updated based on findings derived from these devices.
It is an indispensable component in modern aviation. Its ability to record data and cockpit voices provides essential information in accident investigations, making a significant contribution to global aviation safety. Thanks to it, every flight is safer.
