Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007L04696:front:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007L04696
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 2734–5740

Standards Order C51a or later amendment "Aircraft Flight Recorder" of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America.

       2.4The flight data recorder system must include a means of monitoring that valid data is being recorded and must present this information on the system control panel which must be accessible for preflight check by the flight crew.

       2.5The flight data recorder specified by this subsection must be fitted with an approved underwater locating device installed in such a manner that it is not likely to be separated from the recorder by crash impact.

Note   Acceptable performance standards for an underwater locating device are described in Advisory Circular AC No. 21-10, Flight Recorder Underwater Locating Device, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America.

       2.6The flight data recorder container must be either bright orange or bright yellow, and reflective tape must be affixed to the external surface of the container to facilitate its location underwater.

       2.7The flight recorder system must have an automatic means of stopping the recorder within 10 minutes after crash impact and prevent any data erasure feature from functioning.

Note   Installations approved before 1 January 1986 need not be modified to comply with this requirement providing that, should the aircraft be involved in an accident, the recorder is deactivated as soon as practicable after the aircraft comes to rest.

       2.8The flight data recorder system must be supplied with airspeed, altitude and magnetic direction data obtained from sources that meet the accuracy requirements of sections 25.1323, 25.1325 and 25.1327, as appropriate, of Federal Aviation Regulations Part 25 of the United States of America.

       2.9A correlation must be established between the flight data recorder readings of airspeed, altitude and heading and the corresponding readings (taking into account correction factors) of the pilot in command's instruments, and that correlation:

(a) must cover the airspeed range over which the aircraft is to be operated, the range of altitude to which the aircraft is limited 360 degrees of heading; and

(b) may be established on the ground as appropriate.

       2.10The flight data recorder must receive its electrical power from the bus that provides the maximum reliability for operation of the flight data recorder without jeopardising service to essential or emergency loads.

       2.11The vertical acceleration sensor must be rigidly attached and located longitudinally either within the approved centre of gravity limits of the aircraft, or at a distance forward or aft of these limits that does not exceed 25% of the aircraft's mean aerodynamic chord.

       2.12Each non-ejectable record container must be located and mounted so as to minimise the probability of container rupture resulting from crash impact and subsequent damage to the record from fire.  In particular, the record