In the next few years, big changes could be in store for voice and data recorders, or black boxes, the devices that help investigators uncover the causes behind transportation accidents, manufacturers and transportation companies say. And makers of these black boxes see their revenues rising as requirements change and airlines expand their fleets. Now manufacturers and aviation officials are discussing requiring both data and voice capabilities in one box and equipping planes with two of them by 2003. Another proposal would boost the 30-minute recording loop in the voice box to to two hours.
Some airlines expect requirements changing sooner than later.
Markets for data recorders stretch far beyond aviation. Data recorders similar to those used by airlines could even be required on cruise ships and ferries within the next few years, industry insiders say. Actually neon orange, today's black boxes are the product of half a century of changes. When the popularity of commercial flight took off in the 1950s, metallic foil recorders measured altitude, airspeed and acceleration. Within 10 years nonflammable magnetic tape replaced foil, and the boxes captured more extensive information about engines and flight controls.