Large commercial aircraft and some smaller commercial, corporate, and private aircraft are required by Civil Aviation Authorities to be equipped with two devices (also known as "black boxes") that record voice communications and sounds in the cockpit and information about a flight. They are both intended to help reconstruct the events leading to an aircraft accident. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), records radio transmissions and sounds in the cockpit, such as the pilot's voices and engine noises. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR), monitors parameters such as altitude, airspeed and heading. The older analog units used one-quarter inch magnetic tape as a storage medium and the newer ones use digital technology and memory chips. Both recorders are installed in the most crash survivable part of the aircraft, usually the tail section.
Each recorder is equipped with an Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) to assist in locating in the event of an overwater accident. The ULB is activated when the recorder is immersed in water. It transmits an acoustical signal on 37.5 KHz that can be detected with a special receiver. The beacon can transmit from depths down to 14,000 feet.
HONEYWELL's HFR5-V CVR & HFR5-D FDR Recorders
For more than 60 years, Honeywell has been an industry leader in data recorders for the commercial aviation industry.
The HONEYWELL's HFR5-V CVR with DLR system is a crash-survivable recording device intended for installation in commercial air transport aircraft to accommodate mandatory cockpit voice recording. It simultaneously records four channels of audio present at its inputs. The audio input signals represent the cockpit acoustic environment and consist of one wide-band area channel and three narrow-band voice channels. In addition to the audio inputs, the HFR5-V CVR also records digital communications (datalink) data from a Communication Management Unit (CMU) or similar equipment (compliant to TSO-C177 Datalink Recording Requirements), timing correlation signals (e.g., GMT or FSK), and helicopter rotor speed, if available. The HFR5-V CVR retains the most recent 2 hours of recorded information in solid-state, crashsurvivable memory. The recording includes all audio, datalink, and timing data described above. For automatic status reporting, the HFR5-V CVR also provides a Type 1 BITE Standard A interface to an Onboard Maintenance System (OMS) or similar equipment.
The HFR5-V CVR fully satisfies the Minimum Operational Performance Specification (MOPS) for Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems as stated in EUROCAE document ED-112. This industry document defines the requirements for a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) utilizing solid-state memory as the recording medium. It also satisfies the recording requirements specified in the Minimum Aviation System Performance Specification for CNS/ATM Message Recording Systems, ED-93. The HFR5-V CVR complies with the interface characteristics defined in ARINC Characteristic 757-4.
The HONEYWELL's HFR5-D FDR is a crash-survivable recording device intended for installation in commercial air transport aircraft to accommodate mandatory flight-data recording into a crash-survivable memory unit. The flight data input is an ARINC 717 data stream from a Flight Data Acquisition Unit (FDAU) or similar equipment. The HFR5-D FDR retains the most recent 25 hours of recorded flight data in solid-state, crash-survivable memory. The HFR5-D FDR fully satisfies the Minimum Operational Performance Specification (MOPS) for Crash Protected Airborne Recorder Systems as stated in ED-112. This industry document defines the requirements for a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) utilizing solid-state memory as the recording medium. The HFR5-D FDR complies with the airworthiness requirements defined in TSO-C124b. An ARINC 573/717/747 hardware interface is provided to accept serial Harvard Bi-phase data at a rates of 64, 128, 256, 512, or 1024 twelve-bit words per second from the FDAU or equivalent equipment.
UNIVERSAL™ AVIONICS KAPTURE™ CVR/FDR Recorders
The KAPTURE™ line of UNIVERSAL™ AVIONICS Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders includes five lightweight and compact model options, providing a customized recording solution for your aircraft. Available models include a CVR, FDR, and combination Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder (CVFDR). Each model features a lithium free 90-day Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB), and the CVR and CVFDR models offer a patented internal Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS) option.
UNIVERSAL™ AVIONICS KAPTURE™ CVR/FDR Recorders
The KAPTURE™ line of UNIVERSAL™ AVIONICS Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders includes five lightweight and compact model options, providing a customized recording solution for your aircraft. Available models include a CVR, FDR, and combination Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder (CVFDR). Each model features a new lithium-free 90-day Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) is included, which does not require special reports, issue papers or dangerous goods shipping while the CVR and CVFDR models offer a patented internal Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS) option.
UNIVERSAL™ AVIONICS KAPTURE™ Models
CVFDR-1650 (Combined CVR and FDR unit)
CVFDR-1650R (Combined CVR and FDR unit with embedded RIPS)
CVR-1651 (Baseline CVR)
CVR-1651R (CVR with embedded RIPS)
FDR-1652 (Baseline FDR)
UA’s sixth generation of recorders include all the features and benefits of the company’s previous CVR/FDR product line with reduced weights, plus many improvements and enhanced capabilities. With increased cockpit voice and ambient audio recording capability of over 25 hours, the CVR and CVFDR models meet EASA’s mandate which requires all aircraft with an MTOW of 59,500 lbs. first issued with an individual Certificate of Airworthiness (CoA) on or after January 1, 2021, to be equipped with a 25-hour CVR. Recorded playback is proven to be clear and audible. The CVR and CVFDR models also provide over 25 hours of non-audio recording such as UTC, rotor speed, and data link messaging. The FDR offers over 90 hours of recording ARINC 717 data, and the inclusion of two ARINC 429 ports allows for an additional 25 hours of data and expanded integration capabilities.
A new, versatile Flight Archive Ground Maintenance PC Tool allows for faster downloads and field-loadable software updates. Paired with improved download speeds from the CVR/FDR itself, and removing the need for a Quick Access Recorder (QAR), operators will see significant savings in time and maintenance costs.
The KAPTURE™ CVR/FDR offers the utmost in reliability with high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and is backed by UA’s world-renowned customer support. The line is designed for operators seeking a recording solution that meets all of the latest certifications and requirements, including MOPS ED-112A compliance.