Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Regulation Overview

Reference: 23.71.00002 First Issue Date: 12-NOV-2013 Last Publication Date: 02-OCT-2015

ATA: 23-71 ; 31-33A/C Type : A300 ; A300-600 ; A310 ; A318 ;

A319 ; A320 ; A321 ; A330 ; A340 ; A340-500 ; A340-600 ; A350 ; A380 ; AST

Old Wise Ref:EngOps-16324

Engineering Support

First Issue Date: 12-NOV-2013 Last Publication Date: 02-OCT-2015

Applicability

All AIRBUS A/C.

References

FAA: Code of Federal Regulation Title 14 : Aeronautics and Space/ Part 121 (Operating Requirements) §121.344 and 121.359.

EASA: Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/12 (5 Oct 2012)/Part CAT (Commercial Air Transportation) / IDE (Instruments, Data, Equipment) / A (Aircraft).

Description

Some airlines ask if their DFDR or CVR system is compliant with applicable regulations.

The answer depends on the list of applicable requirements and on the A/C configuration.

This article is providing some summary information about main operational regulation (FAA and EASA) concerning DFDR and CVR. The data provided here is for information: in case of any doubt, A/C operators should liaise with their national authorities, to obtain the list of applicable requirements.

Solution

The following figure shows, for A/C operated under FAA Part 121, a summary of requirements, depending on A/C manufacturing date.

The following figure shows, for A/C under EASA regulation, a summary of requirements for DFDR/CVR.

Advice for A/C changing state of registry

Applicable regulation can be found within the Operational Requirements and depends on each country. Consequently, when A/C changes its state of registry (this may happen for a leased A/C, or for an A/C sold to another operator), it is important to ensure that the CVR/DFDR installation is still compliant with regulation, otherwise, some upgrade might be advisable.

An upgrade to DFDRs / CVRS system can be obtained, if necessary, through RFC/RMO procedure.

In general, it is highly recommended to install the different Standard SBs that are published by Airbus. Installation of these SB will tend to improve the recording of parameters.

ICAO Recorder Types

The ICAO considers the following types of Flight Data Recorders, for those applicable to AIRBUS A/C:

ICAO Type I: A recorder for use in aeroplanes over 27 000 kg MTWA and which is capable of retaining the data recorded during the last 25 hours of its operation. A Type I recorder shall record the parameters required to determine accurately the aeroplane flight path, speed, attitude, engine power, configuration and operation.

A recorder is considered type IA if it can record a list of 32 parameters listed in ICAO Convention Annex 6.

*This recorder is applicable to A/C manufactured after 01/01/1989.

ICAO Type IA: A recorder for use in aeroplanes over 5 700 kg MTWA and which is capable of retaining the data recorded during the last 25 hours of its operation. A type IA recorder shall record the parameters required to determine accurately the aeroplane flight path, speed, attitude, engine power, configuration and operation.

A recorder is considered type IA if it can record a list of 78 parameters, listed in ICAO Convention Annex 6.

*This recorder is applicable to A/C manufactured after 01/01/2005.

Important note:

The list of parameters that should be recorded as per ICAO requirements can be checked in ICAO Convention Annex 6, however it is possible to say that the 32 and 78 parameters of ICAO requirement are met and exceeded by FAR 121.344, respectively 57 and 88 parameters lists, and also by EASA regulation.

In other words, it is possible to assume that:

On A/C with 256 wps recording speed, the DFDRS is compliant with ICAO Type IA description.

On A/C with 128 wps recording speed, the DFDRS is compliant with ICAO Type I recorder.

AIRBUS is not providing a statement of compliance to ICAO Type I or Type IA recorder. However, any A/L can easily demonstrate compliance to ICAO rule by showing the list of parameters recorded (to be extracted from the tool FDRPL –Flight Data Recorder Parameter Library).

How to show compliance to ICAO Type I or Type IA recorder requirement.

AIRBUS is not providing formal statement of compliance of the DFDRS to ICAO requirement. It is up to the operator of each A/C to show such compliance. However, this does not represent particular difficulty, if following steps are applied:

The A/L should determine if, as per ICAO rule, the required recorder type is a Type I or a Type 1A. Basically:

o If an A/C has been manufactured after 01/01/2005, the required type is IA.

o If the A/C has been manufactured between 01/01/1989, the required type is Type 1.

Then the A/L should check the recording speed of its DFDRs installation.o If the speed is at least 128 words by seconds, then the list of

parameters recorded is based on FAA 121.344 appendix M list of parameters, which contains all 32 parameters required by the ICAO. In such case, DFDRS should be considered compliant to ICAO Type I.

o If the speed is at least 256 words by seconds, then the list of parameters is based on FAR121.344 Appendix M list of 88 parameters, which exceeds the list of 78 parameters provided by ICAO. In such case, DFDRS should be considered compliant to ICAO Type IA.

Example: on an A/C manufactured in 2002, the DFDRS, as per ICAO rule should be type I. So this DFDRS should record the first 32 parameters of ICAO Table A1-8.

If this DFDR has a speed of 128 wps, then it is recording the 57 first parameters of FAR 121.344 Appendix M. Therefore it is recording the 32 first parameters of ICAO, this is due to the fact that there is a matching between both paramters lists as follows:

Parameter requested in ICAO Annex 6 table A1-8

Corresponding parameter in FAR 121.344 appendix M;

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 8

9 9

10 20

11 21

12 22

13 23

14 24

15 25

16 11

17 18

18 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17

19 19

20 26

21 27

22 28

23 29

24 30

25 46

26 45

27 31

28 35 and 44

29 32

30 33

31 34, 39 and 37.

32 36

Where is it possible to find Standards and Regulations?

The regulation, as well as TSO documents, is usually published by each country on official web site. This information is public.

The standards (Eurocae ED55, ED56, ED112 ARINC 717, 647A, ...) are the property of their respective authors (Eurocae, Arinc), as such they are not provided by Airbus to Airlines. These documents can be purchased, if needed, directly from respective authoring organisms.

The different TSOs applicable to Flight Recorders (TSO c123a/b, TSO c124a/b, TSO c121a/b) usually make applicable, partially or totally, Eurocae documents (ED55/56/112), TSO may also add requirements. Compliance of given unit to TSO is usually stated in Vendor CMM (Component Maintenance Manual) document.

Compliance to specific requirements:

Data link recording:

The data link recording allows retrieving the communication between the crew and ground control using data link communication system.

The scope of datalink recording is described in EUROCAE ED122 standard (Part IV).

On AIRBUS A/C, the datalink recording is performed by the CVRS and records the following messages:

CPDLC (Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications), AFN (Aircraft Flight Notification), ADS-C (Automatic Dependant Surveillance - Contract), Data link Flight Information Services (D-FIS), Specific ARINC 623 applications of DCL (Departure Clearance), OCL (Oceanic

Clearance) and D-ATIS (Data link Automatic Traffic Information Service).

The datalink recording is considered available on an A/C when the corresponding MOD has been installed (the MOD stacking ensures all prerequisites are also installed).

On A320 family A/C: Activation of datalink recording function is done through MOD 151943.

On A330/A340 family A/C: Activation of datalink recording function is done through MOD: 201096.

On A380: datalink recording is available on all A/C. On A350: datalink recording is available on all A/C.

RIPS (Recorder independent Power supply) or equivalent solution:

The RIPS is defined in 14 CFR 25.1457(d)(5).

To summarize, on any AIRBUS A/C, whenever the CVR equipment is powered with 28 VDC (instead on 115 VAC), then it can be considered compliant with RIPS.

To find formal statement regarding compliance to RIPS, it is possible to refer to: A320 family A/C: ELOS ref.: TD0781IB-T-SE-26. A330 and A340 family A/C: TD0774IB-T –SA-1. A380: Equivalent safety finding ref: TD00823IB-T.

These documents explain and justify AIRBUS design compliance with FAA requirement 25.1457(d)(5).

“Hot Mike” recording

FAR 121.359 states: "Record the uninterrupted audio signals received by boom or mask microphone."

To comply with this operational regulation, there is a "hot mike" function which enables permanent recording in cockpit from the boomset and the oxygen mask.

This function is basic on most Airbus A/C; more information can be found in Airbus publication browsing “hot mike” term. (A minimum standard of ACP is needed).

Recording of PA (Public Address)

Regulation (Refer to EASA Part CAT and FAR 25.1457) requires to record the communication between the flight crew and the passengers, done with the Public Address system.

This is done by applying FCOM Cockpit Preparation procedure, where the THIRD OCCUPANT AUDIO CONTROL PANEL is set to RECEPTION mode. This automatically transfers any audio signal from the passenger address system to the CVR.

Channel Recording allocation:

The allocation of channels is to be found in the ASM or AWM of each A/C. In particular, the vendor CMM shall not be used to determine the channel allocation.

Most frequently, the assignment of channels on Airbus A/C is as follows: Channel 1 on pin 30/32: Captain Channel 2 on pin 35/37: F/O Channel 3 on pin 41/43: 3rd Occupant Channel 4 on pin 45/47: CAM

However, other assignment can be found on WB A/C where CAPT and F/O channels are located on the innermost part of the magnetic tape (Channels 2 and 3).

The prevailing reference to determine channel assignment is the ASM or AWM. Compliance with ED112 Standard

The EASA part CAT, CAT.IDE.A.185, and its associated Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC/GM to CAT.IDE.A.185) states that CVR has to be compliant to ED112, for A/C manufactured after 01 January 2016.

Similar requirement exist for DFDR in CAT.IDE.A.190.

This EASA mandate has not retrofit impact (only A/C to be manufactured after 01/01/2016 are concerned).

The following table lists the impact of ED112 introduction on Airbus production aircraft:

Programme Evolutions due to ED112 ReferenceA300-A310 Not Applicable. N/A.

A320 CVR System: TBD

DFDR System: TBD

TBD

A330 CVR System:Introduction of new CAM PN DM58-0048-10

The CVR Control unit is removed, and replaced by a new VU panel 242VU.

DFDR System:New DFDRs software PN F340-002-0002

MOD : 205262 COMMUNICATIONS - COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER(CVR) - INSTALL NEW L3COM MICRO CVR DM58 COMPLIANT WITH EASA ED-112 MANDATE

MOD : 205251 COMMUNICATIONS - COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER (CVR) - INSTALL CVR CONTROL UNIT COMPLIANT WITH EASA ED-112 MANDATE

MOD 205538 INDICATING/RECORDING SYS - DFDRS - INTRODUCE FDIMU/FDIF S/W STD FL2 TO COMPLY WITH ED112.

A380 CVR System: No impact

DFDR System:New DFDRS software to be loaded on CDAM PN SFI57S-0002S0485

MOD 76363 INDICATING/RECORDING SYSTEM - DFDRS - INSTALL NEW DFDRS S/W COMPLYING EUROCAE ED112 REQUIREMENTS

A350 No impact. N/A

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