空中的耳朵

EARS IN THE AIR

What is at once a fl ight systems troubleshooter, a fl ight status monitor and a fl ight data recorder in an aircraft? The answer, of course, is aviation recorders or what we call “black boxes”.

它能对飞机系统进行故障排除 ,它能确保飞行安全 ,它是全程监测飞行状态的“管理员”，它还是飞机飞行数据的记录者——它就是航空飞行记录器，俗称“黑匣子”。

Text by Yunshi Wu Translation by Leo

Although they are called “black boxes”, fl ight recorders are typically painted bright orange and are attached with strips of refl ective tape to improve visibility. A typical black box, with memory units at the core, has the size of four or fi ve red bricks stacked together. Two common categories of fl ight recorders are cockpit voice recorders and fl ight data recorders, which are always installed in pairs on civil airplanes.

黑匣子的外观呈醒目的橙色，表面贴有反光标识，内部装有内部储存卡，约四五块砖头垒在一起那么大。一般民航客机上会同时安装两个黑匣子：一个用于记录数据和一个用于记录语音。

Small, but Powerful

Black boxes can convert a diverse range of fl ight data into digital information and store them, providing important clues to the causes of aviation accidents. Core components – namely, memory units – must meet extremely vigorous quality standards so that data can remain intact, even in very bad conditions.

迷你外观功能强大

运行过程中，黑匣子将飞行数据信息转换成通用的电子信号，读取信息时则相反。它的核心部件内存单元的质量标准非常严格，因此，即使在非常恶劣的环境条件下，数据也能完好无损，因此被用作查找事故原因的主要途径之一。

Diverse Functions 十八般武艺就看它

•Voice recording

A cockpit voice recorder (CVR) works much like a magnetic tape recorder. It can catch the faintest of cockpit sounds ranging from radio communications to pilots'conversations. The recorder serves as an important link of data between an airline operator and air traffic control.

•Data recording

A flight data recorder (FDR) is another kind of black box used to record aviation data. Today, a typical FDR can record 1,000+ flight parameters, including flight altitude, speed, heading, climb and descent rate, acceleration, fuel consumption, landing gear extension and retraction, time (GMT), aircraft systems conditions and engine parameters, for at least 25 hours.

•Cutting-edge technology

Both CVRs and FDRs, made of state-ofthe-art alloy steel and other fire-resistant, water-proof and heat-resistant materials, can work continuously for 30 days under water.

•Flight Safety

The black boxes are playing an increasingly important role in routine flight safety assurance, aircraft condition monitoring, accident threat elimination and fault location.

•记录语音

作为驾驶舱声音记录器，黑匣子的原理类似于普通录音磁带。其内部安装了频率较高的麦克风，任何一点细微的声音都会被它记录。

•记录数据

黑匣子同时又是飞行数据的记录器。它主要记录飞机至少 25小时的飞行高度、速度、航向、爬升率、下降率、加速情况、耗油量、起落架收放以及飞机系统工作状况和发动机工作参数等 1000 多个飞行参数。

•航空前沿科技

采用合金钢 ,采用防火材料 ,耐水耐高温 ,水下可连续工作30天。

•确保飞行安全

黑匣子在飞机日常安全维护，飞机状态检测 ,消除事故隐患，故障定位中发挥重要作用。

Evolution of Black Box

Since the fi rst black box was invented during the World War II, black boxes have evolved over three generations. Their ability to survive crashes and resist fi re, water and heat damage has increased dramatically as they are becoming increasingly versatile. They can also record many more parameters. Going forward, black box technology will be expected to contribute more to fl ight safety and monitoring.

黑匣子进化史

随着科技的迅速发展，黑匣子也在不断更新换代，抗水抗冲击能力逐渐变强，能够记录的参数更多，功能也愈加全面，在将来，也会让飞机更易监控，更为安全。

The first generation of black boxes was used in military aircraft during the WWII. They could record only a small amount of parameters with the use of steel tape.

二战时期，第一代黑匣子用于军用飞机，由传统的钢带机械记录，记录的数据量小。

The second generation of black boxes came about in the late 1950s. They worked much like magnetic tape. With better quality, they could record dozens of parameters.

上世纪五十年代末，第二代黑匣子出现，其工作原理类似于普通磁带，质量也有所提高，一般能记录几十个参数。

The third generation of black boxes showed up in the 1990s when semiconductor memory was used to record data. Much progress was made in their ability to record data, emit “pings” and be tracked by satellites.

1990s 第三代黑匣子采用半导体存储器记录数据，新一代黑匣子无论从记录功能，还是发射功能、卫星定位功能等等方面都取得了大幅进步。

Three Steps to Decode a Black Box三步破译黑匣子密码

Connect the recorder to a readout centre and a purpose-made power source

Download and analyse data in special format with exclusive decoding software

Recreate in 3D the entire process of how an aircraft could have gone wrong