Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
Flight Data Recorder (FDR) – a device used to record specific aircraft performance parameters. The purpose of an FDR is to collect and record data from a variety of aircraft sensors onto a medium designed to survive an accident.
An FDR has historically been one of two types of “flight recorder” carried on aircraft, the other being a cockpit voice recorder (CVR). Where both types of recorders are fitted, they are now sometimes combined into a single unit (ICAO Definition: Combination recorders). Combination recorders need to meet the flight recorder equipage requirements as specifically detailed in ICAO Annex 6 – Operation of Aircraft.
Description
ICAO Requirements
According to the provisions in ICAO Annex 6 – Operation of Aircraft, Vol 1 and Vol. III, a Type I FDR shall record the parameters required to determine accurately the airplane flight path, speed, altitude, engine power, configuration, and operation. Types II and IIA FDRs shall record the parameters required to determine accurately the airplane flight path, speed, altitude, engine power, and configuration of lift and drag devices.
The detailed list of parameters to be recorded by FDRs is provided in section 6.3 “Flight recorders” and in Attachment D to Annex 6, Vol. I. Furthermore, provisions in section 6.3 specify the aircraft equipage requirements depending on the maximum certificated take-off mass and the date of the first issue of the individual certificate of airworthiness. For example, provision 6.3.6 of Annex 6, Vol. I state that all airplanes of a maximum certificated take-off mass of over 5,700 kg for which the individual certificate of airworthiness is first issued after 1 January 2005 shall be equipped with a Type IA FDR.
According to ICAO SARPS, combination recorders (FDR/CVR) can only be used to meet the flight recorder equipage requirements as specifically indicated in ICAO Annex 6 (Vol I and Vol III, Attachment D).
Objective
The recorder is installed in the most crash survivable part of the aircraft, usually the tail section. The data collected in the FDR system can help investigators determine whether an accident was caused by a pilot error, an external event (such as wind shear), or by an airplane system problem. Furthermore, these data have contributed to airplane system design improvements and the ability to predict potential difficulties as airplanes age. An example of the latter is using FDR data to monitor the condition of a high-hours engine. Evaluating the data could be useful in making a decision to replace the engine before a failure occurs.
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