Black boxes in aircraft

The TSB is again pushing for (black boxes) in small aircraft. 

I admire the work of the TSB and the many worthwhile changes they have affected. Although this recommendation is well intentioned to make it much easier to determine the cause of a catastrophic aircraft accident, the reality is that there are thousands of small aircraft other then jets to be considered. 

It has already been acknowledged that a voice recorder would not likely help with a single pilot aircraft as they would not be talking to anyone about what was happening. It would likely be impossible at least financially to retrofit old aircraft such as the Cessna 172 series (as one example) with flight data recorders. It is a four place single engine aircraft with more than 43,000 built. Do we exempt them because they are not as important as four place corporate jets? Where do you draw the line?

I do not always agree with Transport Canada’s rule making, but they do have to consider all factors and cost is one of them. All things could be safer if money was no object but in real life, dollars matter.

Gord Marshall