External cameras on aeroplanes
 

Some years ago, after the Kegworth accident I believe, British Airways fitted some external cameras to one of their 747 Classic aeroplanes, G-BDPU, as a trial. There was a miniture TV screen plus camera selector switches positioned at the lower left of the F/E's panel, by the lower part of the F/O's seat. The installation remained for a year or more and eventually fell into disrepair and 'died'.

Does anyone have any info regarding the conclusions of the trial, apart from the obvious one stated above? Was it's demise due to 'beancounter' or technical reasons?

South African Airways had (may still do) multiple external cameras on their aircraft, and they were even viewable from the In-flight Entertainment System.

I thought it was neat both from the perspective of pax and pilots.

If I recall correctly, there was a tail mounted forward looking camera. that got both wings in, a belly mounted forward looking camera that got the forward landing gear.

It was a long time ago I last saw it though, so I stand to be corrected.

Birrddog

The B777-300 and -300ER has 3 external cameras fitted (as standard I believe). One in the leading edge of each side of the tailplane facing the main gear and one belly-mounted, facing the nosewheel. They are intended to assist while taxiing/manoeuvring.
The output from the cameras is displayed on the selected EICAS screen in a split-screen format. Needless-to-say as soon as you have become accustomed to the long wheelbase of the -300 variant, the cameras become of less importance. They are particularly useful on the gate to monitor the loading/refueling progress.
Cheers. ST.

The A380 has a camera on the tail looking forward.

A340-600 and A340-500's have camera's too! We use them for taxying, observing cargo loading, parking, cornering etc... and passengers can watch the landing as well.

Every new plane seems to come with them nowadays... All the Etihad and Emirates planes I've been on anyway let you watch take off and landing with straight ahead view, and you can see straight down as well :)

>>Does anyone have any info regarding the conclusions of the trial, apart from the obvious one stated above? Was it's demise due to 'beancounter' or technical reasons? <<

I believe primarily it was cost. Something like $350K per system at the time (circa 1990 +/-).

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This is state of the art and WORKS no where near $350k and its designed by a brit!:ok:

Oh Dear! I fear the Wrath of Rainbow is upon you!:eek:

External Cameras
 

Have a check on the use of external cameras on the NASA Shuttle. It makes sense.

Tmb