Black Box Is Not Black

Ever wonder a Flight Data Recorder generally known as “black box” how it’s look like? and how they work? Well.. I did. So, I did a small research on this & found out more interesting facts about different types of Flight Data Recorders and their history.

There are mainly two types, one is  Flight Data Recorder (FDR) used for record specific aircraft performance parameters  & the other is  Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) used for records conversation in the cockpit, radio communications between the cockpit crew and others (including conversation with air traffic control personnel), as well as ambient sounds. In some cases, both types have been combined into a single unit.

First Generation Foil Recorders

Earlier Black Box

Efforts to require crash-protected fl Foil Recorderight recorders date back to the 1940s. The introduction of Flight Data Recorders (FDR), however, experienced many delays.  That’s because technology could not match the design requirements of a unit that could survive the forces of an aircraft crash and the resulting fire exposure until 1958, when the world authorities approved a minimum operating requirements for an FDR.

Second Generation Tape Recorders

Black Box

Flight data alone could not provide all accident information needed by the investigators. An advanced technology covering the recording of Tape Recordersounds in the cockpit, crews’ conversation, air traffic control communications and aircraft noises was needed. This started a second generation of recorders that used magnetic tape as the recording medium.

Third Generation Solid State Recorders

Modern Black Box

The Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) became commercially practical in 1990. “Solid State” referSolid State Flight Data Recorders to storage of data in semiconductor memories or integrated circuits, rather than using the older technology of electromechanical methods of data retention. Since the solid state memory does not require scheduled maintenance or overhaul, there are potential cost savings to the operator.

Next Generation Flight Recorders

Next Generation Black Box

The FDR and CVR are two of the greatest safety inventions of the commercial airline industry.  What improvements are on the horizon?  Within the next few years, some form of cockpit video recorder that can store video images in solid-state memory and in conjunction with voice recording will be developed.

Black Box Image Gallery

Newer Black Box

Black Box Retrieval

Modern Black Box 

New Generation Black Box 

Old Black Box 

Opened Black Box

Old Black Box 

Earlier Black Box 

Black Box

Some Black Box Facts

Flight Data Recorder
Time recorded: 25 hour continuous
Number of parameters: 18 – 1000+
Impact tolerance: 3400Gs / 6.5 ms
Fire resistance: 1100 degC / 30 min
Water pressure resistance: submerged 20,000 ft
Underwater locator beacon: 37.5 KHz; battery has shelf life of 6 years or more, with 30-day operation capability upon activation

Cockpit Voice Recorder
Time recorded: 30 min continuous, 2 hours for solid state digital units
Number of channels: 4
Impact tolerance: 3400Gs / 6.5 ms
Fire resistance: 1100 degC / 30 min
Water pressure resistance: submerged 20,000 ft
Underwater locator beacon: 37.5 KHz; battery has shelf life of 6 years or more, with 30-day operation capability upon activation

Information Sources: NTSB.gov, Wikipedia.com, L-3com.com
Image Sources: NTSB.gov, Wikipedia.com