Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct ?
- 1.They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection.
- 2.They record both the cockpit voice and flight data.
- 3.Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium.
Select the answer using the code given below :
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Answer: B. Statement 1 is wrong: the underwater locator beacon sends ultrasonic sound pulses (about 37.5 kHz), not red light. Statement 2 is correct: the black boxes are the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder. Statement 3 is correct: the crash-survivable memory units are encased in stainless steel or titanium. So 2 and 3 only.
Watch for: Students mix up a light beacon with the acoustic pinger that works under water.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because statements 2 and 3 are correct, and statement 1 is false.
- C. Wrong because the beacon uses sound pulses, not red light.
- D. Wrong because statement 1 is false.
Source to check: Directorate General of Civil Aviation and ICAO Annex 6 requirements for flight recorders; Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (aaib.gov.in) explanations
Answer from the provisional UPSC key; it may change when the final key is out. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.