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by tobiasu 4483 days ago
Before you waste time with better data logging, please install an ejection seat, parachute, and a built-in life support system. That's much more useful than sensors that record the demise of the passengers to satisfy the bloodlust of news corps.

Or rationally, don't change a damn thing. Airliners are fine. Any other form of transportation (maybe with the exception of trains) is many times more deadly and we cope with that risk just fine.
5 comments
ars 4483 days ago
> That's much more useful

Not really. The hard part is knowing when to use such a system. In most of the catastrophic crashes I've heard about no one knew they were in danger till they were dead.

> to satisfy the bloodlust of news corps

That's not what it's for, that's horrible thinking. It's for determining what happened so we can prevent it from happening again!

> Any other form of transportation (maybe with the exception of trains) is many times more deadly and we cope with that risk just fine.

Because of those same data recorders you denigrate! And now that we've reached a plateau of sorts, it's time to move to the next level.

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jusben1369 4483 days ago
The problem here is that the blackbox should continue collecting data to the very last second until it no longer can. So trying to time it to get it out before the "end point" undoubtedly reduces the value of what it's collecting.
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userbinator 4483 days ago
As much as the idea of every passenger being able to eject in the case of an emergency amuses me, I don't think that's going to happen. Ejection seats are expensive, can themselves be dangerous (they are basically a rocket-propelled chair), and pilots in aircraft that use them need to be specially trained for their use. That's not even mentioning how you'd be able to sever the whole top off the fuselage quickly enough, and if you could, what if that system malfunctions in normal operation...!
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neurotech1 4483 days ago
Remember that even escape slides can result in serious injury to around 10% of passengers during an evacuation.

Ejection Seats are deadly/extremely dangerous if the person in them is not properly trained. Body position when the seat fires can make the difference between minor scratches and death.

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brc 4483 days ago
I'm pretty sure trains are more deadly, especially when you include the numbers from them hitting things like trucks at level crossings.
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