Flight Data Recorders are painted bright orange so they can be found quickly after an air crash. The high-visibility coating is heat-resistant and fluorescent, making the device stand out in wreckage.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
What color is the Flight Data Recorder?
The Flight Data Recorder is painted bright orange. This color was chosen because it stands out easily in wreckage. The bright orange paint is heat-resistant, protecting the crash and fireproof container. To make the recorder even more visible, strips of reflective tape are attached to its exterior, and regulations require the surface to be reflective.
Why is the Flight Data recorder called a black box?
The FDR is called a black box despite being bright orange primarily due to early aviation history, where FDRs were often housed in black, fireproof boxes.The term black box is a misnomer and the recorder is deliberately painted high-visibility orange so it can be located after an accident.
