Airbus is to fit some of its aircraft with an 'ejectable' flight data recorder from 2019. This recorder, developed in collaboration with L3 Technologies, is mainly intended for aircraft making long flights.
MH370
The development of the new flight recorders is in response to past lost flights such as MH370 in 2014. The so-called Automatic Deployable Flight Recorder (ADFR) detaches itself from the aircraft in the event of an explosion or crash into water.
The ADFR is mainly intended for aircraft making long flights over remote areas or oceans, such as the Airbus A321LR, A330, A350 XWB and A380. The flight recorder is designed to stay afloat and is fitted with an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). This allows rescue teams to quickly locate the recorder and recover and study the flight data.
Cockpit recorder
In addition, L3 Technologies, a US-listed manufacturer of communication and electronic systems for aviation and the military, among others, is going ahead with a new Cockpit Voice and Data Recorder (CVDR). It is specifically designed for aircraft flying shorter routes. This 'black box' will be lighter and more compact than the current generation of cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders and equipped with innovative features, including versatile interfaces. Each A320 will get two of these recorders. The unit will be the basis of a new generation of combined flight recorders from L3 that meet the requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and others. Up to as many as 25 hours can be recorded.
"We are pleased to expand L3's role at the forefront of aviation technology with the development of these recorders," said Michael T. Strianese, ceo of L3. "Commercial aviation is an important market for L3 and our expertise enables us to respond to changing consumer needs.
We are therefore extremely proud to partner with Airbus on this new technology innovation, which enables fast recovery of flight recordings and contributes to increased safety in air traffic. This system is an example of the technology that makes L3 one of the leading suppliers of flight recorders to airlines and OEMs."
The new recording systems will be available in 2019, initially only on the A350. Other aircraft will follow later.
By: Kelly Bakker
Source: Airbus
