FLIGHT DATA RECORDER and COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER

FLIGHT DATA RECORDER PURPOSE

FDR - Required on all transport aircraft on CAR 121 operations, and some 125/135 operations

- It records info on all flight and ground operations

- It includes maintenance data, sometimes accessed for maintenance purposes

A safety tool which:

- Records configurations to assist with accident/incident investigations.

- Useful for training

PARAMETERS

- Dependant on aircraft/device age, parameters number from 48 to 300:

I.E. Altitude, heading, speed, load factor, engine readings, flight controls etc.

- All computer outputs including;

- Air Data Inertial Reference Units & Attitude Indicating Directional Systems

FLIGHT DATA RECORDER

Installed at rear of aircraft in a shock resistance and fire proof case

FDR COMPONENTS

- Flight recorder panel

- Flight Data Acquisition Unit

- Flight Data Recorder

- Acoustic Underwater Locator Beacon

POWER SOURCE of FDR

- Automatically powered when ever the essential bus is powered

- Crew can not erase or access any circuit breakers

- Data is accessed by special equipment in the manufacturers laboratory

- Records for a minimum of 25 hours.

FDR Download

- Downloads are normally carried out with a laptop, specific programme and dedicated cable.

- Downloads may be required on a regular basis or after a significant event.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

- A cloud based Flight Data Connect Platform

- Recreation of flights graphically in 3D

- Further use for safety and maintenance issues

CVR PURPOSE

- Records crew conversations to assist with accident investigations. - This may be intercom or open speech

- Records engine/propeller sounds

- Records noise from aircraft systems, I.E. Undercarriage movements.

CVR COMPONENTS

- The recorder

- A control panel

- Ceiling mounted microphone

- Backup battery

- Circuit breaker.

RECORDER

- Aircraft interface board

- Audio compressor board

- Acquisition processor board

- Memory Boards

- Underwater locator beacon

- 6km under water, 30 days

OPERATION

- Automatically powered whenever the essential bus is powered.

- Stops when essential bus not powered

- Can be erased after WOW is made

- Record for at least 120 min or more

MPFR

Multi Purpose Flight Recorder - All in one device