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Simulating the recovery of an airplane black box in the Arabian Gulf

FlightDataRecovery

Ramzi AlJahdali (left) and Lloyd Smith (right) from the Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab. The photo was taken after the successful recovery of the flight data recorder.​

The Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab recently participated in a simulated maritime disaster exercise organized by the national Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB).

 

Our role in the exercise was to aid AIB in the search for the flight data recorder of a simulated lost aircraft in the Arabian Gulf. We provided expertise in marine logistics and instrumentation, including providing specialized acoustic underwater listening equipment. As a result, the flight data recorder of was successfully recovered. Flight data recorders are colloquially known as the “airplane black box” and record data from the plane for use in the event of an accident or incident.

 

AcousticUnderwaterListening

Lloyd Smith in action, using CMOR’s specialized acoustic underwater listening equipment to locate the flight data recorder.​

During the exercise, the team also enjoyed witnessing other facets of the National Marine Disaster Exercise and meeting senior representatives in the Saudi border guard and government disaster management.

 

About our relationship with the AIB

 

Last year, the AIB signed an agreement KAUST to use our advanced facilities and research expertise in the event of aviation incidents. As part of the agreement, the Core Labs support AIB during training exercises in preparation for such incidents. Learn more about the agreement.