A Black Box Is Actually Orange

A Black Box Is Actually Orange
After an aviation accident, the search for the black box is one of the top priorities of investigators. The black box typically refers to two separate items of equipment: the flight data recorder and the cockpit data recorder. These items are sometimes combined into one unit. An airplane’s recorder is about the size of a shoebox, and weighs approximately 10 kg. The word black box is a computing term. It means that the inner workings of a device are mysterious or unseen to the user. The colour of a plane’s black box is usually bright orange. This makes it easier for investigators to locate. The black box also has a beacon that pings under water. The battery signal only lasts for a certain amount of time, which is why there is so much pressure to locate the black box quickly after an accident. Information on the recorders gives investigators a better understanding of what happened prior to the crash. Since 1960, all commercial airliners have been equipped with flight data and cockpit recorders.

1. An airplane is equipped with a black box in case of a crash. The recorders hold important information to help in an investigation.
2. Black boxes aren’t black because they are easier to find when they are orange.
3. Commercial aircraft began using flight data recorders in 1960.