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[[image - photograph]]
THIS CLOSEUP of a damaged flight recorder shows the torn and crumpled metallic tape from which experts will try to determine why the plane crashed.

small if the radio activity is kept to safe level. A new paint is being considered for the case, however, this could be obliterated. A report was given on Project Race wherein FAA installed various recorders in their aircraft and observed the recorded data in various controlled attitudes and maneuvers. This report is available from the FAA.

As to the maintenance recorders, there are two installed in air carrier service today. These are primarily in the interest of saving service time and getting more utilization from various aircraft units. For instance on one check of unit life, 75% of the units removed and sent to overhaul were servicable [[serviceable]] and removed unnecessarily. We should continue to monitor the development of maintenance recorders with a thought toward the eventual use of a single unit for all flight recording.

COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER

And now we come to that new gadget which some of our members call a spy in the cockpit. ALPA policy indicates we should strive to obtain the best information available to assist in accident investigation. I'm sure you all agree, as ALPA accident investigators, perhaps one of the greatest aids in an investigation would be to have the conversation and sounds of the cockpit and cabin recorded.

The FAA intends to go to rule making in the very near future, writing the specifications for "voice recorders." Their present thinking is to use 4 channels: (1) cockpit area (monitor), (2) pilot, (3) copilot, (4) extra channel. We desire more channels. One for the radio input and output, one in the cabin, and perhaps at stress members of the structure. These all should be on separate channels so as to minimize interference. The tape will have 30 minutes recording time by using a continuous loop. It is self erasing with the previous 30 minutes of recording remaining. Since the medium is of the magnetic type, it must be protected from fire. The case will withstand heat, but if cracked or broken, the tape will be destroyed. Here again making location in the tail a must. Filters are being used to reduce engine noise level.

Microphones will be located at eye level. The DC-3's tested were so noisy, lip mikes attached to the headset had to be used. The requirement for perceptibility of the playback should be no less than 90%. Tests run in a Convair 340 showed only 50% perceptibility. I personally feel we must do better. If you can understand only 50% of the readback you are taking "out of context" and you are creating a situation of possible misinformation thereby defeating the entire purpose. I believe a great deal of additional testing, with user participation, should be done.

Now for the protection of our privacy. The most desirable method is to use a bulk eraser. By this means at the safe completion of a flight the Captain can press a button and this last 30 minutes of sound is erased. Can we get this? On the two recorders I observed, it is optional. All manufacturers say they can provide it. ALPA, of course, wants the bulk eraser. The CAB favors it. The ATA was strong at the March 19 meeting in favor of the eraser--this position being that hand signals in the cockpit were unsafe. Inasmuch as these are the people who have to pay for them, I feel the chances of having bulk erasers are good. We should, however, continue to press for this protection.

Gentlemen, this is truly an area where one picture would be worth a thousand words but we do not have adequate pictures--you have been most patient and attentive and I hope you are a little better informed on recorders and where we stand today.

FEBRUARY, 1964     PAGE 9