Flight recorders
Finding out what went wrong
Flight recorders begin gathering data as soon as an aircraft’s main electrical system is powered on. From there, hundreds of different parameters are continuously recorded until electrical power is turned off or lost.
The parameters recorded can be broadly broken down into two main categories: audio data and operational data. Audio data encompasses radio transmissions, conversations between flight crew members, and ambient noise, like engine noise. Operational data encompasses altitude, airspeed, and flap position.
Both audio and operational data are stored in a solid-state memory chip, which can be downloaded onto a computer for analysis. To ensure the data gathered by the flight recorder is preserved in the event of a catastrophic crash, the recorders have a plethora of protective features, including steel housing, insulation, a thermal block, and an underwater locator beacon. Unlike their name suggests, flight recorders are painted bright orange for high visibility.
Not only have flight recorders provided incredibly valuable insight into aviation accidents, but they have also helped make air travel safer. By knowing exactly what went wrong during an accident, aviation authorities can strengthen the industry’s safety management systems and help others mitigate danger in the future.
