In lay terms, “black box” refers to the the flight data recorder (a device used to record what’s physically happening with an aircraft) and the cockpit voice recorder (that records the audio that occurs in the flight deck).  Together, these recorders are analyzed for a variety of safety issues, human factors, performance standards, and more, and then the experts can piece together what happened to Flight 447.

That’s why recovering the black box is such a high priority.  It’s the only thing right now that holds the answers to all the questions that we have.  There’s lot of painstaking recovery to occur.  When it’s found, teams of experts will then have months of painstaking work trying to analyze their part of the information.  Once that’s done, the piecing together will begin.

I know that it’s tempting to demand immediate answers.  I’d like those answers right away, too.  But it’s only be letting everyone do their job, and letting all the parts of the process play out, that there’s any hope of finding out how this plane disappeared from the sky.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Disappeared?  Airplanes just don’t disappear!  But apparently this one did.  And it will be days, weeks, and months, before experts sort through what happened and have answers for us.

No matter the airline, the aircraft, or the nationalities involved, those men and women who do this job have a bond that unites them.  We do the same job, we share the same experiences, we laugh over the same silly things that happen on the airplane, and we complain over the same type of passengers.

Today, we all stand in respect and honor the Flight Attendants of Air France.  We, too, grieve for the crew members of Air France Flight #447, for all the passengers, family, friends, and loved one left behind.

It’s a tough day to be out flying, but on tough days I’m prouder than ever to be a Flight Attendant.

Photo credit: wikipedia

Post from: Fly Away Cafe