Aircraft Flight Data Recorder Systems

Abstract

This report on aircraft flight data recorder Systems is an overview of the facts discovered about these systems. Its application in the investigation of air accidents by flight accident investigators is also considered. The investigations done by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's (ATSB's) that revolve around the Qantas (QAN) 747-438 (Flight QF30), are used as the case study when these facts are being looked into.

Introduction

A digital flight data recorder which is a type of a flight data recorder or an accident data recorder is used to record the parameters of performance in the aircraft (Campbell 2007). The major aim of this report is to report on the facts discovered about the aircraft flight data recorder systems. A keen interest is on the way they give assistance to the flight accident investigators. A particular consideration is given to the investigations done by the Australian

Transport Safety Bureau's (ATSB's) that revolve around the Qantas (QAN) 747-438 (Flight QF30) which got a depressurization when it was flying from Hong Kong heading for Melbourne. The aircraft had made an emergence diversion Manila which is found in Philippines before it crashed (Boyne 1997).

Purpose of flight data recorder

As seen earlier, the main purpose of a flight data recorder is to record information that is used to provide some evidence during investigations in case of any occurrence of an accident (Little 1997). The cockpit voice recorder is used along with the digital flight data recorder in the capturing of communication with the air traffic control and other noises in the cockpit. Airspeed, aircraft heading, vertical acceleration, altitude and time are other parameters recorded (Beaudouin & Beaudouin 2005).

Aircraft flight data recorder and Aviation safety

Data collected is also used to analyze the air safety, degradation of materials and the performance of the engine. In case of an accident, a team of investigators researches on the causes of the accident alongside a rescue team whose aim is saving any survivors of the accident (Dalton 1999). They search for the black box which are normally engineered carefully and properly constructed to withstand the resultant forces of the impact of very high speed and the high heat when the plane sets on fire. The black box is coated by a red paint that is very bright and resistant to heat for quick location in the wreckage. It is placed at the tail section of the aircraft to increase its survival chances of a severe crash (Campbell 2007).

After the recovery of the flight recorder from the wreckage, the investigating personnel usually proceed on to retrieve the data from the recorder concerning the last things that happened just before the plane crashed. The retrieved information is carefully analyzed with no prejudged mind by experts before a detailed report of the cause of the accident is written. They also write recommendations which take care of any future occurrence of search accidents hence preservation of life. Legal action based on the report can then be taken against the parties involved in the accident. The report therefore forms a ground for any charges against the company that manufactured the aircraft if any kind of negligence is found on their side (Bendict 1992).

Flight data recorders greatly enhance the aviation safety. This is because the detailed information in the cockpit is recorded which is later analyzed by experts for application of safety measures. For instance, the recorded information about the pilot's communication with the control tower and the copilot is very vital when it comes to the training of other pilots. Just in the same way we learn from other peoples' mistakes and flaws in life, so do the pilots learn from the mistakes made by their fellow pilots who may be more experienced than them (Hunecke 1997). They therefore grow up in their piloting career field knowing the dos and don'ts when flying an aircraft. The data collected ensures proper training and thereafter safety since the trained pilots are more careful and experienced. The data from the flight data recorders is used in the maintenance of the aircraft engine since all ambient sounds in the cockpit are also recorded. This helps to make sure that all the mechanical problems of the aircraft experienced in the air are avoided hence ensuring safety while the aircraft is flying (Graham 2002). Flight data recorder also facilitates taking of precautions in avoiding future accidents similar the past ones. Once all the causative agents of the accident have been identified by the help of the flight data recorder,