Video on Aircraft

Air Safety Week, Feb 11, 2002

The BEA investigation report of the Concorde crash recommended video recording of cockpit activity but stopped short of suggesting the use of external video cameras. Such cameras are finding their way on aircraft, mounted below the fuselage or on top of the tail to assist the cockpit crew in taxiing and/or landing the aircraft. The concept of an external array of cameras on the aircraft was broached in a 1999 transportation recorder symposium (see ASW, May 10, 1999). With respect to the Concorde crash, one pilot observed:

"The accident demonstrates how difficult it is for a flight crew to know just what in hell is happening as it all comes rapidly unglued. A joystickable [sic] and spotlighted mini-cam [camera] mounted on each wingtip would cover engines, flight controls, fuel leaks, and the rudder - day and night. Crews would then have a chance, instead of finding out too late that it was now all too late - like this unfortunate crew." >TK Boeing [BA]: