Video Informs Passengers About How Data Is Analyzed

Japan Airlines is betting that passengers will feel more comfortable on its planes if they see how carefully the airline analyzes data from flight data recorders. The mere mention of forensic research to passengers in the pre-takeoff environment is considered taboo for most in the industry, so JAL's tactic will be closely watched.

The so-called "black box" -- better known to pilots as a flight data recorder, which is actually flourescent orange -- provides detailed information about the last 30 minutes of an airline flight, and has been a staple of post-crash investigations for decades.

In recent years, data analysis of even routine flights that land safely is being used to find ways to improve efficiency in procedures and maintenance. The technology has even migrated to small, general aviation aircraft as part of the glass-panel revolution.

But what Japan Airlines is doing is very unique. The New York Times reports a three-minute video shown to passengers before takeoff touts the safety benefits of both electronic data analysis and voluntary reporting of mistakes by pilots... similar to the FAA's innovative, but waning, Aviation Safety Action Program in the US.

In the video, passengers are educated on "anomalies" and "potential hazards" -- referred to in so many words -- and see what it's like to be a pilot working in the cockpit.

Michael Poole of CAE Flightscape, the Quebec company which supplies the technology used by JAL, thinks the airline's approach is a great idea. "Here’s an excellent way to communicate they are serious about safety," he said.

Not everyone agrees. Southwest Airlines Captain John Gadzinski is the safety chairman of the Southwest Airline Pilots Association. "This may be another way to soothe passengers' nerves, but I sure wouldn’t do it this way."

Japan Airlines says that so far, passengers have had little reaction to the videos.

FMI: www.jal.com