"NTSB urges cockpit cameras" (Flight International, 3-9 August) excited me. I couldn't help saying "at last", even though I don't know the details of the US National Transportation Board (NTSB) proposal. I'm assuming we're talking about both voice and vision recording and I hope that it would be accessible by the accountable/quality management of the operator concerned.
Maintenance people carry out our tasks open to all observers, authorised or non-authorised. However, pilots perform in a concealed compartment called the cockpit. The maintenance group has only one reference to depend upon for its rectification and reliability duties, namely the pilot's comments, which may not always be suffice.
The chair of the NTSB hearing has emphasised the cost reductions expected in accident investigations. I'm talking about life savings and cost reductions by preventing accidents (which is the main goal).
It can be a main contributing factor for airline safety managers if handled properly and with respect to flightcrews.
ALI AKSOY
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Source: Flight International
