The term "black box" receives significant media attention following an aeroplane accident, but even fewer people know what the term really means, certainly not beyond the aviation industry. The term "black box" can be very misleading because it is not black, nor is it just a single device. It is an important part of aviation safety in the design of modern aircraft to establish the cause of an air incident and ultimately improve safety.
This piece gives a straightforward, detailed explanation of what a black box in an aeroplane is, works, the history and why it remains so important in aviation investigations and technology.
The Black Box of an Aircraft
The term "Black Box", used in aviation, identifies two biscuit-like presence on an airliner:
- Flight Data Recorder (FDR) – The FDR records important flight parameters: altitude, airspeed, heading, engine performance, and state of systems.
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) – The CVR records sounds from the cockpit, such as communication between the pilots, radio traffic in and out, and other ambient sounds, launching around the cockpit.
This is the basic equipment necessary for the reconstruction of events, during and before a flight incident. This information collected from the above two devices aids investigators to collect data to identify cause, and generate advancements in the safety standards across world aviation.
History and Evolution of BLACK BOX
Airplane Black Box: The black box was first created in the late 1950s by Dr. David Warren, an Australian scientist, after a commercial airplane inexplicably crashed. His idea was to have a recording device on board that could record flight data and communications from the cockpit, and then analyse the data after the accident to better establish what happened.
Although initially resisted, the idea gained acceptance, and black boxes became required equipment in most commercial aircrafts around the world. The design has advanced since then so they are even more durable, with a greater capacity for data and able to withstand even the most inhospitable conditions.
How Does a Black Box Work?
A modern black box is built to withstand very extreme crash environments. Usually mounted in the tail section of the aircraft, which sustains less severe damage, statistically speaking.
Some key features include:
- Solid-State Memory: The data is stored electronically, with no moving parts, which improves reliability and durability.
- Survivability: Built to withstand high temperatures (up to 1,100°C, deep-sea pressure, and extreme impacts.
- Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB): If submerged, the ULB will emit signals continuously for 30 days. The ULB will assist recovery operations.
- Duration Data: A black box will typically record 25 hours+ of flight-data recording (FDR) and 2 hours of cockpit-voice recording (CVR), depending on the system installed.
The recorded data is continually recorded and overridden in loops, which means that the most recent flight activity is available in the event of an accident.
Why Is It Called a “Black Box? Despite its name, a black box is not black, and it does not look much like a box. A black box is colored bright orange or red, with reflective strips to help find it among the wreckage.
The name "black box" could derive from early electrical engineering jargon or military terminology, as black, by definition, indicates something wrapped or concealed. It is a word that could be descriptive of the nature of black box or the original design but will persist, even though it is no longer a black box!
The Significance of the Black Box in Aviation
The black box is an invaluable component of aviation safety:
- Accident investigation aids authorities in identifying the chronology of events and technical causes involved in an event.
- Preventative actions enable manufacturers and regulators to make safety improvements based on evidence.
- Transparency and accountability – ensures there is accurate documentation of in-flight events and decision-making.
In multiple high-profile aviation incidents, including Air France flight 447 and the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the black box was a key piece of evidence in their investigations, and without it, answers would have never been found.
Essential Information About Black Boxes
- Black boxes are required by aviation regulators, including the FAA (USA) and ICAO (international).
- They are designed to withstand a crash impact of 3,400 G's and 20,000 feet of underwater pressure.
- Recovery efforts can often take weeks or months and may be delayed if an aircraft crashes in a remote area.
- Newer ideas include streaming flight data to ground stations in real-time to augment recordings from the black box.