Why don't black boxes record video?

Question

I just don't get it. The technology has been advanced enormously during the last two decades. Would it still be a great burden to record video into black boxes in terms of weight and cost today? I'm not a professional but I feel it would be very helpful if we have the video in the cockpit rather than merely guessing from the audio. Thanks!

Answer 1

The NTSB actually wants this. Image recorders were one of their 2011 "most wanted" things - http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/2007/most_wanted_progress/presentations/aviation_recorders.htm http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/mwl-7.html



The technology exists, it's just not yet required. The main issue is privacy and the potential for abuse by airlines - http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39383365/ns/travel/t/video-cockpit-privacy-vs-safety

Answer 2

There is a great deal of resistance to video from pilots and crew, who incorrectly believe that it would be used mainly against them. Police officers were opposed to dashboard cams in the same way until they discovered that video was just as likely to help them as it was to hurt them—video is a neutral observer, so people doing stupid things are exposed, but people doing smart things are vindicated.



There are also cost issues. The cost of video is high and its advantages are low, since crashes are very infrequent in commercial air travel. It would certainly be invaluable in some crashes, but there are too few of those to justify the cost (indeed, one could argue that there are too few crashes to justify the cost of a black box at all).



The NTSB wants video because it wants as much information as possible about every crash, and video would be tremendously useful in certain situations, since it could show exactly what the pilots were doing in the cockpit. But the NTSB is concerned only with safety, whereas airlines are concerned only with money, and pilots are concerned about hiding their incompetence (at least if they know that they incompetent).



Weight and size issues no longer apply with modern technology, but the obstacles above are more than enough to keep video out of black boxes for now.

Answer 3

The 'black boxes' include more than the CVR (cockpit voice recorder). They also include the Flight Data Recorder which records many parameters of the aircraft from airspeed and altitude to throttle and flight control positions to engine pressures and temperatures... far more than a video camera could record.



The issue isn't the technology (and you can solve a 180 degree camera view by having two or more cameras.. they make rectilinear lenses with more than 100 degrees FOV), but the certification of such technology into aircraft and possible privacy and big brother concerns in a profession that is increasingly under the microscope.



I will admit that the installation of GoPros on many private aircraft and use of cell phone cameras by passengers (and on the ground) have provided important clues to investigators.

Answer 4

Simple answer, where would they get the video? From an existing camera? In a 3-dimensional sky; where is the camera mounted? You have a better chance of success mounting the camera in cars to record a potential accident. (I think one insurance company is doing that)

P.S. I like the reference to 'orange box' from a person who probably has no personal experience of the terminology.

Answer 5

1) If it was deemed necessary, it would be required.



2) Cockpit recorders, as they're properly called, are orange, not black.



3) Larger aircraft, and those used in airline operations have a flight data recorder AND a voice recorder. A video would supply no significant information that is not already collected more accurately by the FDR.

Answer 6

first, the manufacturers are not going to add additional inputs to the "orange box" unless the FAA passes a law or regulation



second, the extra weight of wires being run to the rear and the camera ends up costing the air carrier $thousands in jet fuel over the life of the plane

Answer 7

yeah that would be awesome...

hours of IFR and icing on the camera then two frames of cumulunimbus granitus



you mean in the cabin? do you know a camera that can take a 180 deg field of vision without distorting the image beyond recognition? electronic sensor on a switch is far better thing...

Answer 8

The current system isn't broken. Therefore, it doesn't require repair.



Please provide an example of an incident where cockpit video might have made a difference.

Answer 9

Please see the Movie "Digital Playground :: Fly Girls" to know the consequences of having a recording device on-board.

Answer 10

short answer....they don't need to cause the boxes current recording devices all ready tell them everything they need to know

Answer 11

i think u need to watch this video "Digital Playground :: Fly Girls."