News
Airbus to add combined flight data and voice recorders on long-haul aircraft
June 30th 2017
Airbus, in partnership with L3 Aviation Products and DRS Leonardo, will add fixed and deployable flight recorders starting with new A350 deliveries from 2019. Read More »
The new devices will come in two versions: a fixed crash-protected Cockpit Voice and Data Recorder (CVDR), capable of recording up to 25 hours of voice and flight data on a single recorder; and an Automatic Deployable Flight Recorder (ADFR), both answering the EASA and ICAO requirements to extend the duration of voice recording from the current two to 25 hours.
Two CVDRs will be fixed on A320 Family single aisle aircraft.
The ADFRs are aimed at long-haul aircraft with extended flight time over water or remote areas, including the Airbus A321LR, A330, A350 XWB and A380. The ADFR will be deployed automatically in case of significant structural damage to the aircraft or water submersion. The new devices will float and be equipped with integrated Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) to help rescue teams locate them quickly.
“We have had a few cases recently where everyone is frustrated because they just don’t know what happened,” said Airbus Commercial Aircraft executive vice-president for engineering, Charles Champion. “Of course, we could think about real-time transmission of data—it will come eventually—but in the meantime, especially in very remote areas, you need to think of a hard solution in order to be able to answer all the open questions.”
