Chapter 18: Aircraft Recorders

Aircraft Recorders have been around since the first airplane was created. Everything gets recorded these days, cockpit voice, maintenance, computers, and flight data. All of these recorders help aid an investigator when they are investigating an aircraft accident. Voice recorders currently record 30 minutes, then erases itself and records another 30 minute segment. The NTSB is currently trying to create a voice recorder that records up to two hours so that in the event of an accident, they have more audio to work with and can examine more of the events prior to the accident. I think the voice recorders are a great tool to have, especially when you consider aeromedical factors. This tool can help evaluate the condition of the pilot prior to the accident and help an investigator better determine what aeromedical factors effected the pilot.