subject: Black Box Facts [print this page] Black box is a device for automatic data recording during operation of the aircraft. The investigators analyze it after a crash or malfunction. Small aircraft are usually equipped with only a voice recorder in the cockpit, recording the sounds in the flight deck, as well as all the talks on the radio with those responsible for air traffic control. Larger aircraft are embedded with a special flight data recorder (EPI). Test setup, sample readings and other data are stored on a magnetic wire.
In fact, flight data recorder installed on airplanes to record information about the health status of all devices, called "black box". In contrast, it has the shape of a sphere or cylinder, and color is red or orange to make it easier to find in case of an accident.
Black box was invented in Australia in 1958, by aeronautical researcher David Warren. There is an interesting prehistory of its creation. In particular, in 1953 the first crush of the reactive passenger airliner occurred. It was Comet - 1. There were no victims, no witnesses or recordings left. While working in the investigation team, David noticed this absence of any evidences. Moreover, records of pilots negotiations and crew members, as well as instrument readings could help in identifying the cause of the aircraft fall. A few years later,. In 1957, David and his colleagues from Aeronautical Research Laboratory could create the operational model of the black box, which was able to record data for four hours. Immediately, in 1958, the United Kingdom Air Registration Board was interested in Warrens invention. He was invited to conduct the related research in England. The entire scientific crew was at his disposal to improve the black box. Newly appeared impact-resistant and fire-resistant box was introduced in other countries.
The black box requirement became one of the legislative issues and Australia became the first country one more time. In particular, after the aircraft crash in Queensland in 1960, the Australian politicians passed a law about the obligatory nature of black box instrument.
There is also a nice explanation why black box is called black. The key thing is that the device was strictly forbidden to be served by ground technical staff (except for the efficiency control workers), and the details of its operation were classified. Similar measures were taken for the airline management to ensure maximum objectivity in the investigation of flight crashes. Nowadays these devices are embedded not only in aircrafts, but on other vehicles as well. It is related to vehicular black box monitoring system.
