In case of aeroplane crashes, the authorities prioritise discovering the black box from the same as it helps investigators determine what caused the accident. This black box is also referred to as a ‘flight data recorder’. The flight data recorder is an instrument that documents all of the operations of the aircraft while it is in flight. Now, the question arises whether the black box is black in colour and how it works.
While we may all call an aircraft’s flight data recorder “black boxes,” the term is inaccurate as they are painted bright, fluorescent orange due to a specific need. The reason why they are painted bright orange is to make them stand out and that they can be easily found after an air crash.
The flight data recorder is capable of storing direction, altitude, fuel, speed, turbulence, and cabin temperature, among others. Through this device, roughly 88 of such values are recorded constantly for about 25 hours. Additionally, it is designed in a way to endure temperatures of 260°C for ten hours and can go up to around 11000°C for one hour.
Simply put, the black box or flight data recorder is a gadget that not only provides information regarding the causes of airline accidents but also aids in preventing mishaps. Originally, the box was red, and was called ‘Red Egg’. However, the box’s interior walls were black which earned it the name ‘Black Box’.
Speaking about how it works, the person in charge of the NTSB’s Air Carrier and Space Investigations Division, Lorenda Ward, said, “When we use the cockpit voice recorder, we download it, we transcribe it and so we use that information to help supplement other data that we have, like from a flight data recorder.”
Notably, there are two separate recording devices on each flight. These devices can be joined to form a single unit. The size of a black box is the same as a shoe box. The titanium material used while making the box makes it able to survive any shock if it falls into the water or from a great height.
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