| Flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders. | | | | performs verification afterstorage (read after write) |
| Flight data recorders are housed in a crush-proof | | | | of flight data and status condition of the memory. |
| container located near the tail section of the aircraft. | | | | These recorders have an underwater acoustic |
| The tape unit is fire resistant, and contains a radio | | | | beacon mounted on their front panel which must be |
| transmitter to help crash investigators locate the unit | | | | returned to their respective manufacturers for |
| under water. Inspection and operational checks | | | | battery servicing. For maintenance information refer |
| include:a. Check special sticker on front of flight data | | | | to the equipment or aircraft manufacture's |
| recorders for the date of the next tape | | | | maintenance instruction manual. |
| replacement, if applicable.b. Remove recorder | | | | Cockpit voice recorders (CVRs). |
| magazine and inspect tape for the following: | | | | Cockpit voice recorders are very similar to flight data |
| (1) broken or torn tape, | | | | recorders. They look nearly identical and operate in |
| (2) proper feed of tape, and | | | | almost the same way. CVRs monitor the last 30 |
| (3) all scribes were recording properly for | | | | minutes of flight deck conversations and radio |
| approximately the last hour of flight.c. Conditions for | | | | communications. The flight deck conversations are |
| tape replacement (as applicable): | | | | recorded via the microphone monitor panel located |
| (1) There is less than 20 hours remaining in the | | | | on the flight deck. This panel is also used to test the |
| magazine as read on the tape remaining indicator. | | | | system and erase the tape, if so desired. |
| (2) Tape has run out. | | | | Before operating the erase CVR mode, consult the |
| (3) Broken tape. | | | | operational manual of the manufacturer for the |
| (4) After hard landings and severe air turbulence | | | | CVR.a. Playback is possible only after the recorder is |
| have been encountered as reported by the pilots. | | | | removed from the aircraft.b. Refer to the specific |
| After the same tape has been in use 1 year (12 | | | | equipment manufacturer's manuals and procedures.c. |
| months), it must be replaced. | | | | Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorders are composed |
| (5) Ensure that a correlation test has been | | | | of three essential components... a solid state |
| performed and then recorded in the aircraft | | | | recorder, a control unit (remote mic amplifier), and an |
| records.d. Refer to the specific equipment | | | | area microphone. Also installed on one end of the |
| manufacturer's manuals and procedures. | | | | recorders are Underwater Locator Beacons (ULBs). |
| Solid-State Flight Data Recorders. | | | | The recorders accept four separate audio inputs: |
| The state-of-the art Solid-State Flight Data | | | | pilot, copilot, public address/third crew member, and |
| Recorders (SSFDRs) are highly flexible and able to | | | | cockpit area microphone and where applicable, rotor |
| support a wide variety of aeronautical radio, | | | | speed input and flight data recorder synchronization |
| incorporated (ARINC) configurations. They have | | | | tone input. For maintenance information refer to the |
| Built-In Test Equipment (BITE) that establishes and | | | | equipment manufacturer's maintenance manual. |
| monitors the mission fitness of the hardware. BITE | | | | |