Fri, Dec 19, 2008
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.
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