The most distinguishing feature of the Cockpit Voice/Flight Data
Recorder (CVFDR) is its internal Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS)
option, which provides a backup power source in the event of a main power
failure without the headache of maintaining batteries. Backup power allows the
CVFDR to record data for 10 minutes after a power failure and meets emerging
requirements for cockpit voice and digital flight data recording presented by
the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the latest FAA TSOs.
The NTSB lists this back-up power source capability on its
transportation safety improvements “10 Most Wanted List”, as well as 2-hour
cockpit audio recording capability. Universal’s CVFDR meets the NTSB’s
recommendations, as well as the FAA’s recently released requirements for cockpit
voice and flight data recording. According to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making
(NPRM) for Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and digital Flight Data Recorders (FDR)
(FAA-2005-20245), which became Final Rule on March 7, 2008, all forward-fit CVR
installations in aircraft with more than 10 seats must have RIPS capabilities by
March 2010.
The internal RIPS option allows aircraft operators to meet the
RIPS requirement without the additional size, weight or complexity of an
external RIPS unit. FAAs final rule also requires recording of data link
communications on all forward-fit aircraft with an onboard data link unit.
Universal’s CVFDR records 120 minutes of data link messages sent by an ARINC 758
compliant Communications Management Unit (CMU).
Twenty-five hours of flight data recording and interfaces with
data downloader tools allow quick download of data from virtually any aircraft
between flights. An Ethernet interface for on-aircraft data downloading is
supported by Universal’s CVFDR. Bolt-down mounting eliminates extra weight and
cost of rack trays. Weighing less than 9 pounds with RIPS, Universal’s CVFDR is
the lightest unit available, resulting in additional fuel savings. This
all-in-one unit will be available in five model options that offer a choice or
combination of cockpit voice recording, flight data and RIPS capabilities. The
all new CVFDR was developed in compliance with the newest, most rigorous testing
standards stipulated by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other
aviation authorities around the world.
- The CVFDR meets the following certification and safety requirements:
- TSO-C123b, Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems
- TSO-C124b, Flight Data Recorder Systems
- TSO-C155, Recorder Independent Power Supply
- TSO-C177, Data Link Recorder Systems
- EUROCAE ED-112, Minimum Operational Performance Specification for Crash Protected Airborne Recorder Systems
- FAA Revisions to Cockpit Voice Recorder and Digital Flight Data Recorder Regulations; Final Rule
- Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS)
- Optional backup power allows the CVFDR to record data for 10 minutes after a power fail
- Voice/Data stored in solid-state flash memory
- Recording times:
- 120 minutes of cockpit voice and ambient audio
- 25 hours of flight data
- 120 minutes of data link messaging
- Maintenance on Condition yields lower cost of ownership
- No requirement for periodic maintenance (excluding ULB)
- ARINC 757/758 Compatible Seven Recorded Channels
- Three crew microphones
- One area microphone
- Helicopter rotor speed
- GMT or FSK time
- Datalink
- Control Unit Options
- ARINC 757/557 model
- Control panel kit
- Test Set
- PC-based ramp testing/diagnostic
- Both individual channel and variable composite signal playback
- Two year warranty
- Product Support