Ideas for new Aircraft Safety Products
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Ideas for new Aircraft Safety Products
Lame's thread on new options offered from Boeing has inspired me to start this thread.
For some years now I have had a few thoughts on aircraft safety and have wondered why if I can think of these ideas, why haven't the aircraft manufacturers thought of them and implemented them.
My main idea revolves around the use of cameras, small, consealed and wide angled.
Not unlike the ones used on formula one cars today.
The thought of the use of cameras came to me while watching the 'Black Box' series on ABC some years ago. I think there are two very useful purposes for camers on and in aircraft;
1. On the outside, mounted in a variety of positions, but mainly located in the top of the rudder looking down over the aircraft with a 180 degree camera. (Similar view to the one in the 1980's TAA/Australian Airline Tv Ads, looking down over the aircraft). One of the main problems the crash investigators have is piecing together what happened from the data retrieved from the 'boxes'. Why not help themselves and have small camera mounted so they can get a visual, to match the data they receive. A classic example if an aircraft breaks up in flight, eg. TWA B747 out of New York a few years back. You could also have a camera mounted behind the nose wheel looking back underneath the aircraft. The uses are endless,
2. The other use is in the aircraft, as LAME mentioned in their thread about Boeing offering cameras in the cockpit, but also in the cabin. With satelite links, authorities could get a real time picture of what is happening inside the aircraft. How useful would that be during a hijack. If a plane is on the ground and hijacked, special forces would be able to have a view inside the aircraft at where everyone is.
I think the possibilties are endless, and should have been implemented years ago. Hopefully the manufacturers will pull their socks up now that this tragic event has occured.
Java
For some years now I have had a few thoughts on aircraft safety and have wondered why if I can think of these ideas, why haven't the aircraft manufacturers thought of them and implemented them.
My main idea revolves around the use of cameras, small, consealed and wide angled.
Not unlike the ones used on formula one cars today.
The thought of the use of cameras came to me while watching the 'Black Box' series on ABC some years ago. I think there are two very useful purposes for camers on and in aircraft;
1. On the outside, mounted in a variety of positions, but mainly located in the top of the rudder looking down over the aircraft with a 180 degree camera. (Similar view to the one in the 1980's TAA/Australian Airline Tv Ads, looking down over the aircraft). One of the main problems the crash investigators have is piecing together what happened from the data retrieved from the 'boxes'. Why not help themselves and have small camera mounted so they can get a visual, to match the data they receive. A classic example if an aircraft breaks up in flight, eg. TWA B747 out of New York a few years back. You could also have a camera mounted behind the nose wheel looking back underneath the aircraft. The uses are endless,
2. The other use is in the aircraft, as LAME mentioned in their thread about Boeing offering cameras in the cockpit, but also in the cabin. With satelite links, authorities could get a real time picture of what is happening inside the aircraft. How useful would that be during a hijack. If a plane is on the ground and hijacked, special forces would be able to have a view inside the aircraft at where everyone is.
I think the possibilties are endless, and should have been implemented years ago. Hopefully the manufacturers will pull their socks up now that this tragic event has occured.
Java
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Sorry to rain on your parade, but the TWA accident was at night so I'm not sure a camera would have shed much more light on what accident investigators already know from analysis of the wreckage.
With regard to the TV in the cabin, I'm sure that any halfway intelligent hijacker would be able to locate them and put a wad of chewy over the lense. Even if they didn't, it would not have averted september 11 (at the time) as authorities already knew the planes were hijacked.
Prevention is better than cure. Fact is, september 11 would not have been possible on an El Al aircraft (strengthened double cockpit doors).
With regard to the TV in the cabin, I'm sure that any halfway intelligent hijacker would be able to locate them and put a wad of chewy over the lense. Even if they didn't, it would not have averted september 11 (at the time) as authorities already knew the planes were hijacked.
Prevention is better than cure. Fact is, september 11 would not have been possible on an El Al aircraft (strengthened double cockpit doors).
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Ford Airlane
I was only using the TWA accident as an example. You can't tell me that there haven't been plenty of daytime accidents where cameras outside the aircraft would be useful. Even at night where there is some sort of explosion , I'm sure a camera would pick it up. And in no way was I saying these safety implentations would have change the course of history of Sept.11.
My idea is that the use of cameras inside and out would be of great benefit to accident investigators. I know we want to prevent aircraft accidents, but unfortunately they happen, so whats wrong with thinking outside the square a bit, if it can help accident investigators.
I was only using the TWA accident as an example. You can't tell me that there haven't been plenty of daytime accidents where cameras outside the aircraft would be useful. Even at night where there is some sort of explosion , I'm sure a camera would pick it up. And in no way was I saying these safety implentations would have change the course of history of Sept.11.
My idea is that the use of cameras inside and out would be of great benefit to accident investigators. I know we want to prevent aircraft accidents, but unfortunately they happen, so whats wrong with thinking outside the square a bit, if it can help accident investigators.
External cameras have been around for some time, I recall them being trialled at Farnborough in the late 80s in the aftermath of the Kegworth accident. If they aren't being fitted, it's because the airlines don't want them.
I spend a lot of my time thinking hard about safety devices, but quite frankly, much of the modern technology is incredibly safe anyway. What I find you do need to work hard at, is ensuring the safety of anything new being added on now or in the future, with regard to ergonomics, pilot workload, clarity, etc. That is where designers do lose the plot occasionally.
G
I spend a lot of my time thinking hard about safety devices, but quite frankly, much of the modern technology is incredibly safe anyway. What I find you do need to work hard at, is ensuring the safety of anything new being added on now or in the future, with regard to ergonomics, pilot workload, clarity, etc. That is where designers do lose the plot occasionally.
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Don't take my comments the wrong way, I'm not deliberately disagreeing with you to be difficult or conducting a vicious personal verbal attack (unusual, I know, for this forum 
), I just can't think of an example of an accident where a camera on the tail would have told accident investigators something they weren't otherwise able to find out. To go back to TWA800, people on the ground were able to confirm there was an explosion as was analysis of the wreckage, a camera could more than likely not have told you whether it was a spark from a fuel pump in the CWT or a bomb.I'm not saying there isn't a situation where it would not be useful, I just can't think of one.
Technology has provided us with a large array of techniques such as voice recorders, "black" boxes and metallurgical analysis that go a long way telling us why planes crash.
Like anything, it all comes down to $$$. For example, after the British Airtours 737 accident in Manchester (737 aborted t/o, due loud noise, engine parts had ruptured wing tank causing fire, a significant number of pax were trapped in cabin due smoke inhalation and died in the ensuing fire) there were calls to have smokehoods installed in a/c for every passenger. The regulatory authorities jumped on this and did a statistical analysis concluding that 1.3433 (figure made up) people per billion that flew were going to die in an accident due to becoming incapacitated from smoke inhalation in a cabin evacuation, but the cost of implementing the measure was not worth the potential number of lives that could be saved.
It is a difficult choice to decide what is financially worthwhile and has real potential to save lives in a accident situation without making the cost of the intended operation so prohibitive as to be not viable.
A couple of investigations into 737 crashes would have benefitted from cameras: Colorado Springs and Silkair. Some bizjets now do have cameras, ostensibly for the pleasure of the pax, I don't know what their survivability would be post crash though.
This is certainly an interesting question, and I hope that a lot of good ideas can surface from it. It can only benefit everyone.
This is certainly an interesting question, and I hope that a lot of good ideas can surface from it. It can only benefit everyone.
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Java
points for trying but your suggestions are merely band aids that treat the symptoms rather than preventing the problem from ever happening. Who would cover the cost of these satellites you speak of?
No answers on my part except to make the crime of not being a white christian punishable by death?LOL
points for trying but your suggestions are merely band aids that treat the symptoms rather than preventing the problem from ever happening. Who would cover the cost of these satellites you speak of?
No answers on my part except to make the crime of not being a white christian punishable by death?LOL
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(now stolen by Iridium LLC MK2 - and submitted as their response to Sec Mineta's call for Industry's security solutions post 911 - but submitted by IASA to Iridium LLC Mk1)
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. http://www.iasa-intl.com/RoboLander.htm
. http://www.iasa-intl.com/YourIridiumLegacy.html
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SEE
http://www.iridium.com/corp/iri_corp-news.asp?newsid=25
After much correspondence with IASA Iridium floated this as their idea.
Iridium Satellite Proposes Real-Time Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Monitoring to Federal Aviation Administration
Global Satellite Capability Could Significantly Enhance Flight Safety and Security
LEESBURG, Va. – Oct. 2, 2001 – Iridium Satellite LLC today announced that it has submitted a preliminary proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other appropriate government organizations for a real-time cockpit voice and flight data monitoring capability utilizing its constellation of 66 low earth orbit satellites. The service, which would address national security concerns relating to aircraft safety and control, could be deployed quickly using commercial off-the-shelf components and the Iridium system.
“With existing systems, officials on the ground have only limited visibility into what is happening inside an aircraft in flight,” said Dan Colussy, Iridium Satellite’s chairman and an aviation industry veteran. “Using its global footprint and voice and data capabilities, combined with existing commercially-available equipment, Iridium gives ground personnel unrestricted access in real time to vital voice and data communications from the aircraft.”
The current system, which captures information in cockpit voice and flight data recorders or “black boxes” located on the aircraft, provides insight into the causes of a crash only after the fact and only if the recorders are found intact. Since the black boxes provide no information to ground control during flight, they cannot be used to intervene in the event of an emergency. Under Iridium’s proposal, the voice and data signals captured by the cockpit voice and flight data recorders would also be transmitted via existing FAA-certified equipment to the Iridium satellite constellation and sent directly to secure FAA data centers for live monitoring.
The Iridium system, when coupled with other security enhancements currently under review, could have a profound impact on aircraft safety both through active use and as a deterrent. Benefits of a real-time system include:
Ability to provide immediate response in the event of a medical, terrorist or other in-flight emergency.
Ability to initiate monitoring from the ground, the cockpit, automatically when flight parameters are breached or continuously as part of basic flight operations.
Ability to record continuously for full duration of flight.
Ability to initiate investigations in real time prior to recovery of cockpit voice and data recorders.
Ability to use accumulated data to enhance aircraft safety, operating performance and efficiency through more timely maintenance and repair.
About Iridium Satellite LLC
Iridium Satellite LLC operates the only global system for voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by The Boeing Company, Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The service is ideally suited for industrial applications such as aviation, defense/military, emergency services, maritime, mining, forestry, oil & gas and heavy construction. Iridium currently provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium works with 16 seasoned service partners to sell and support the service globally. For more information, please visit www.iridium.com or call 866-947-4348 (in the U.S.); 1-480-752-5155 (internationally).
Press Contacts:
Mitchell Derman
FitzGerald Communications
(202) 912-4410
[email protected]
http://www.iridium.com/corp/iri_corp-news.asp?newsid=25
After much correspondence with IASA Iridium floated this as their idea.
Iridium Satellite Proposes Real-Time Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Monitoring to Federal Aviation Administration
Global Satellite Capability Could Significantly Enhance Flight Safety and Security
LEESBURG, Va. – Oct. 2, 2001 – Iridium Satellite LLC today announced that it has submitted a preliminary proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other appropriate government organizations for a real-time cockpit voice and flight data monitoring capability utilizing its constellation of 66 low earth orbit satellites. The service, which would address national security concerns relating to aircraft safety and control, could be deployed quickly using commercial off-the-shelf components and the Iridium system.
“With existing systems, officials on the ground have only limited visibility into what is happening inside an aircraft in flight,” said Dan Colussy, Iridium Satellite’s chairman and an aviation industry veteran. “Using its global footprint and voice and data capabilities, combined with existing commercially-available equipment, Iridium gives ground personnel unrestricted access in real time to vital voice and data communications from the aircraft.”
The current system, which captures information in cockpit voice and flight data recorders or “black boxes” located on the aircraft, provides insight into the causes of a crash only after the fact and only if the recorders are found intact. Since the black boxes provide no information to ground control during flight, they cannot be used to intervene in the event of an emergency. Under Iridium’s proposal, the voice and data signals captured by the cockpit voice and flight data recorders would also be transmitted via existing FAA-certified equipment to the Iridium satellite constellation and sent directly to secure FAA data centers for live monitoring.
The Iridium system, when coupled with other security enhancements currently under review, could have a profound impact on aircraft safety both through active use and as a deterrent. Benefits of a real-time system include:
Ability to provide immediate response in the event of a medical, terrorist or other in-flight emergency.
Ability to initiate monitoring from the ground, the cockpit, automatically when flight parameters are breached or continuously as part of basic flight operations.
Ability to record continuously for full duration of flight.
Ability to initiate investigations in real time prior to recovery of cockpit voice and data recorders.
Ability to use accumulated data to enhance aircraft safety, operating performance and efficiency through more timely maintenance and repair.
About Iridium Satellite LLC
Iridium Satellite LLC operates the only global system for voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by The Boeing Company, Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The service is ideally suited for industrial applications such as aviation, defense/military, emergency services, maritime, mining, forestry, oil & gas and heavy construction. Iridium currently provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium works with 16 seasoned service partners to sell and support the service globally. For more information, please visit www.iridium.com or call 866-947-4348 (in the U.S.); 1-480-752-5155 (internationally).
Press Contacts:
Mitchell Derman
FitzGerald Communications
(202) 912-4410
[email protected]
The Kegworth crash occurred, I think in a 737, because poor display layout in the cockpit, caused the pilot to shut down the wrong engine after a fire. The argument was that the tail camera would have given him a second confirmation of what engine should be shut down. Accident investigation was firmly a second reason for the suggestion that cameras should be fitted.
G
G
