14 C.F.R. Appendix M to Part 121—Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space
[Doc. No. 28109, 62 FR 38382, July 17, 1997; 62 FR 48135, Sept. 12, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 121–271, 64 FR 46120, Aug. 24, 1999; Amdt. 121–278, 65 FR 51745, Aug. 24, 2000; 65 FR 81733, Dec. 27, 2000; Amdt. 121–292, 67 FR 54323, Aug. 21, 2002; Amdt. 121–300, 68 FR 42936, July 18, 2003; 68 FR 50069, Aug. 20, 2003; 68 FR 53877, Sept. 15, 2003; 70 FR 41134, July 18, 2005]
Title 14: Aeronautics and Space
PART 121—OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS
Subpart Z—Hazardous Materials Training Program
Appendix M to Part 121—Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
The recorded values must meet the designated range, resolution, and accuracy requirements during dynamic and static conditions. All data recorded must be correlated in time to within one second.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accuracy (sensor Seconds per sampling Parameters Range input) interval Resolution Remarks--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Time or Relative Times 24 Hrs, 0 to 4095..... ±0.125% Per 4.................... 1 sec................ UTC time preferred Counts.\1\. Hour. when available. Count increments each 4 second of system operation.2. Pressure Altitude............... -1000 ft to max ±100 to 1.................... 5[foot] to 35[foot].. Data should be certificated altitude ±700 ft (see obtained from the of aircraft. +5000 ft. table, TSO C124a or air data computer TSO C51a). when practicable.3. Indicated airspeed or Calibrated 50 KIAS or minimum ±5% and 1.................... 1 kt................. Data should be airspeed. value to Max Vso to ±3%. obtained from the 1.2 V. D. air data computer when practicable.4. Heading (Primary flight crew 0-360° and ±2°........ 1.................... 0.5°............. When true or magnetic reference). Discrete ``true'' or heading can be ``mag''. selected as the primary heading reference, a discrete indicating selection must be recorded.5. Normal acceleration (vertical) -3g to +6g............ ±1% of max 0.125................ 0.004g............... \9\. range excluding datum error of ±5%.6. Pitch Attitude.................. ±75°....... ±2°........ 1 or 0.25 for 0.5°............. A sampling rate of airplanes operated 0.25 is recommended. under § 121.344(f).7. Roll attitude \2\............... ±180°...... ±2°........ 1 or 0.5 for 0.5.................. A sampling rate of airplanes operated 0.5 is recommended. under § 121.344(f).8. Manual Radio Transmitter Keying On-Off (Discrete)..... ...................... 1.................... ..................... Preferably each crew or CVR/DFDR synchronization None.................. member but one reference. discrete acceptable for all transmission provided the CVR/FDR system complies with TSO C124a CVR synchronization requirements (paragraph 4.2.1 ED- 55).9. Thrust/power on each Full range forward.... ±2%............ 1 (per engine)....... 0.3% of full range... Sufficient parameters engine_primary flight crew (e.g. EPR, N1 or reference. Torque, NP) as appropriate to the particular engine being recorded to determine power in forward and reverse thrust, including potential overspeed condition.10. Autopilot Engagement........... Discrete ``on'' or ...................... 1.................... ..................... ..................... ``off''.11. Longitudinal Acceleration...... ±1g............ ±1.5% max. 0.25................. 0.004g............... ..................... range excluding datum error of ±5%.12a. Pitch Control(s) position (non- Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.5% of full range... For airplanes that fly-by-wire systems). Higher Accuracy airplanes operated have a flight Uniquely Required. under § control break away 121.344(f). capability that allows either pilot to operate the controls independently, record both control inputs. The control inputs may be sampled alternately once per second to produce the sampling interval of 0.5 or 0.25, as applicable.12b. Pitch Control(s) position (fly- Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... ..................... by-wire systems).\3\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated Uniquely Required.. under § 121.344(f)..13a. Lateral Control position(s) Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... For airplanes that (non-fly-by-wire). Higher Accuracy airplanes operated have a flight Uniquely Required. under § control break away 121.344(f). capability that allows either pilot to operate the controls independently, record both control inputs. The control inputs may be sampled alternately once per second to produce the sampling interval of 0.5 or 0.25, as applicable.13b. Lateral Control position(s) Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... ..................... (fly-by-wire).\4\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated Uniquely Required. under § 121.344(f).14a. Yaw control position(s) (non- Full range............ ±2° Unless 0.5.................. 0.3% of full range... For airplanes that fly-by-wire) \5\. higher accuracy have a flight uniquely required. control break away capability that allows either pilot to operate the controls independently, record both control inputs. The control inputs may be sampled alternately once per second to produce the sampling interval of 0.5.14b. Yaw Control position(s) (fly- Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5.................. 0.2% of full range... by-wire). Higher Accuracy Uniquely Required.15. Pitch Control Surface(s) Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.3% of full range... For airplanes fitted Position.\6\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated with multiple or Uniquely Required.. under § split surfaces, a 121.344(f).. suitable combination of inputs is acceptable in lieu of recording each surface separately. The control surfaces may be sampled alternately to produce the sampling interval of 0.5 or 0.25.16. Lateral control surface(s) Full range............ ±2° Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.3% of full range... A suitable position\7\. higher accuracy airplanes operated combination of uniquely required. under § surface position 121.344(f). sensors is acceptable in lieu of recording each surface separately. The control surfaces may be sampled alternately to produce the sampling interval of 0.5 or 0.25.17. Yaw Control Surface(s) Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5.................. 0.2% of full range... For airplanes with Position.\8\. Higher Accuracy multiple or split Uniquely Required. surfaces, a suitable combination of surface position sensors is acceptable in lieu of recording each surface separately. The control surfaces may be sampled alternately to produce the sapling interval of 0.5.18. Lateral Acceleration........... ±1g............ ±1.5% max. 0.25................. 0.004g ..................... range excluding datum error of ±5%.19. Pitch Trim Surface Position.... Full Range............ ±3° Unless 1.................... 0.6% of full range... Higher Accuracy Uniquely Required.20. Trailing Edge Flap or Cockpit Full Range or Each ±3° or as 2.................... 0.5% of full range... Flap position and Control Selection.\10\. Position (discrete). Pilot's indicator. cockpit control may each be sampled at 4 second intervals, to give a data point every 2 seconds.21. Leading Edge Flap or Cockpit Full Range or Each ±3° or as 2.................... 0.5% of full range... Left and right sides, Control Selection.\11\. Discrete Position. Pilot's indicator and or flap position and sufficient to cockpit control may determine each each be sampled at 4 discrete position. second intervals, so as to give a data point every 2 seconds.22. Each Thrust Reverser Position Stowed, In Transit, ...................... 1 (per engine)....... ..................... Turbo-jet_2 discretes (or equivalent for propeller and Reverse enable the 3 states airplane). (Discrete). to be determined. Turbo-prop_discrete.23. Ground spoiler position or Full range or each ±2° Unless 1 or 0.5 for 0.5% of full range... brake selection \12\. position (discrete). higher accuracy airplanes operated uniquely required. under § 121.344(f).24. Outside Air Temperature or -50 °C to +90 ±2 °C...... 2.................... 0.3 °C........... ..................... Total Air Temperature.\13\. °C.25. Autopilot/Autothrottle/AFCS A suitable combination ...................... 1.................... ..................... Discretes should show Mode and Engagement Status. of discretes. which systems are engaged and which primary modes are controlling the flight path and speed of the aircraft.26. Radio Altitude \14\............ -20 ft to 2,500 ft.... ±2 ft or 1.................... 1 ft +5% above 500 ft For autoland/category ±3% whichever 3 operations. Each is greater below 500 radio altimeter ft and ±5% should be recorded, above 500 ft. but arranged so that at least one is recorded each second.27. Localizer Deviation, MLS ±400 Microamps As installed 1.................... 0.3% of full range... For autoland/category Azimuth, or GPS Latitude Deviation. or available sensor ±3% 3 operations. Each range as installed. recommended. system should be ±62°....... recorded but arranged so that at least one is recorded each second. It is not necessary to record ILS and MLS at the same time, only the approach aid in use need be recorded.28. Glideslope Deviation, MLS ±400 Microamps As installed +/3-3% 1.................... 0.3% of full range... For autoland/category Elevation, or GPS Vertical or available sensor recommended. 3 operations. Each Deviation. range as installed system should be 0.9 to +30°....... recorded but arranged so that at least one is recorded each second. It is not necessary to record ILS and MLS at the same time, only the approach aid in use need be recorded.29. Marker Beacon Passage.......... Discrete ``on'' or ...................... 1.................... ..................... A single discrete is ``off''. acceptable for all markers.30. Master Warning................. Discrete.............. ...................... 1.................... ..................... Record the master warning and record each ``red'' warning that cannot be determined from other parameters or from the cockpit voice recorder.31. Air/ground sensor (primary Discrete ``air'' or ...................... 1 (0.25 recommended). airplane system reference nose or ``ground''. main gear).32. Angle of Attack (If measured As installed.......... As installed.......... 2 or 0.5 for 0.3% of full range... If left and right directly). airplanes operated sensors are under § available, each may 121.344(f). be recorded at 4 or 1 second intervals, as appropriate, so as to give a data point at 2 seconds or 0.5 second, as required.33. Hydraulic Pressure Low, Each Discrete or available ±5%............ 2.................... 0.5% of full range... System. sensor range, ``low'' or ``normal''.34. Groundspeed.................... As Installed.......... Most Accurate Systems 1.................... 0.2% of full range... Installed.35. GPWS (ground proximity warning Discrete ``warning'' ...................... 1.................... ..................... A suitable system). or ``off''. combination of discretes unless recorder capacity is limited in which case a single discrete for all modes is acceptable.36. Landing Gear Position or Discrete.............. ...................... 4.................... ..................... A suitable Landing gear cockpit control combination of selection. discretes should be recorded.37. Drift Angle.\15\............... As installed.......... As installed.......... 4.................... 0.1°............. .....................38. Wind Speed and Direction....... As installed.......... As installed.......... 4.................... 1 knot, and 1.0°.39. Latitude and Longitude......... As installed.......... As installed.......... 4.................... 0.002°, or as Provided by the installed. Primary Navigation System Reference. Where capacity permits Latitude/ longitude resolution should be 0.0002°.40. Stick shaker and pusher Discrete(s) ``on'' or ...................... 1.................... ..................... A suitable activation. ``off''. combination of discretes to determine activation.41. Windshear Detection............ Discrete ``warning'' ...................... 1.................... or ``off''.42. Throttle/power Leverl Full Range............ ±2%............ 1 for each lever..... 2% of full range..... For airplanes with position.\16\. non-mechanically linked cockpit engine controls.43. Additional Engine Parameters... As installed.......... As installed.......... Each engine each 2% of full range..... Where capacity second. permits, the preferred priority is indicated vibration level, N2, EGT, Fuel Flow, Fuel Cut-off lever position and N3, unless engine manufacturer recommends otherwise.44. Traffic Alert and Collision Discretes............. As installed.......... 1.................... ..................... A suitable Avoidance System (TCAS). combination of discretes should be recorded to determine the status of_Combined Control, Vertical Control, Up Advisory, and Down Advisory. (ref. ARINC Characteristic 735 Attachment 6E, TCAS VERTICAL RA DATA OUTPUT WORD.)45. DME 1 and 2 Distance........... 0-200 NM.............. As installed.......... 4.................... 1 NM................. 1 mile46. Nav 1 and 2 Selected Frequency. Full Range............ As installed.......... 4.................... ..................... Sufficient to determine selected frequency47. Selected barometric setting.... Full Range............ ±5%............ (1 per 64 sec.)...... 0.2% of full range48. Selected Altitude.............. Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 100 ft49. Selected speed................. Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 1 knot50. Selected Mach.................. Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... .0151. Selected vertical speed........ Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 100 ft/min52. Selected heading............... Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 1°53. Selected flight path........... Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 1°54. Selected decision height....... Full Range............ ±5%............ 64................... 1 ft55. EFIS display format............ Discrete(s)........... ...................... 4.................... ..................... Discretes should show the display system status (e.g., off, normal, fail, composite, sector, plan, nav aids, weather radar, range, copy.56. Multi-function/Engine Alerts Discrete(s)........... ...................... 4.................... ..................... Discretes should show Display format. the display system status (e.g., off, normal, fail, and the identity of display pages for emergency procedures, need not be recorded.57. Thrust command.\17\............ Full Range............ ±2%............ 2.................... 2% of full range.....58. Thrust target.................. Full Range............ ±2%............ 4.................... 2% of full range59. Fuel quantity in CG trim tank.. Full Range............ ±5%............ (1 per 64 sec.)...... 1% of full range60. Primary Navigation System Discrete GPS, INS, VOR/ ...................... 4.................... ..................... A suitable Reference. DME, MLS, Loran C, combination of Omega, Localizer discretes to Glideslope. determine the Primary Navigation System reference.61. Ice Detection.................. Discrete ``ice'' or ...................... 4 ``no ice''.62. Engine warning each engine Discrete.............. ...................... 1 vibration.63. Engine warning each engine over Discrete.............. ...................... 1 temp.64. Engine warning each engine oil Discrete.............. ...................... 1 pressure low.65. Engine warning each engine over Discrete.............. ...................... 1 speed.66. Yaw Trim Surface Position...... Full Range............ ±3% Unless 2.................... 0.3% of full range... ..................... Higher Accuracy Uniquely Required.67. Roll Trim Surface Position..... Full Range............ ±3% Unless 2.................... 0.3% of full range... ..................... Higher Accuracy Uniquely Required.68. Brake Pressure (left and right) As installed.......... ±5%............ 1.................... ..................... To determine braking effort applied by pilots or by autobrakes.69. Brake Pedal Application (left Discrete or Analog ±5% (Analog)... 1.................... ..................... To determine braking and right). ``applied'' or applied by pilots. ``off''.70. Yaw or sideslip angle.......... Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 0.5°71. Engine bleed valve position.... Discrete ``open'' or ...................... 4 ``closed''.72. De-icing or anti-icing system Discrete ``on'' or ...................... 4 selection. ``off''.73. Computed center of gravity..... Full Range............ ±5%............ (1 per 64 sec.)...... 1% of full range74. AC electrical bus status....... Discrete ``power'' or ...................... 4.................... ..................... Each bus. ``off''.75. DC electrical bus status....... Discrete ``power'' or ...................... 4.................... ..................... Each bus. ``off''.76 APU bleed valve position........ Discrete ``open'' or ...................... 4 ``closed''.77. Hydraulic Pressure (each Full range............ ±5%............ 2.................... 100 psi system).78. Loss of cabin pressure......... Discrete ``loss'' or ...................... 1.................... ``normal''.79. Computer failure (critical Discrete ``fail'' or ...................... 4.................... flight and engine control systems). ``normal''.80. Heads-up display (when an Discrete(s) ``on'' or ...................... 4 information source is installed). ``off''.81. Para-visual display (when an Discrete(s) ``on'' or information source is installed). ``off''.82. Cockpit trim control input Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 0.2% of full range... Where mechanical position_pitch. means for control inputs are not available, cockpit display trim positions should be recorded.83. Cockpit trim control input Full Range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 0.7% of full range... Where mechanical position_roll. means for control inputs are not available, cockpit display trim position should be recorded.84. Cockpit trim control input Full range............ ±5%............ 1.................... 0.3% of full range... Where mechanical position_yaw. means for control input are not available, cockpit display trim positions should be recorded.85. Trailing edge flap and cockpit Full Range............ ±5%............ 2.................... 0.5% of full range... Trailing edge flaps flap control position. and cockpit flap control position may each be sampled alternately at 4 second intervals to provide a sample each 0.5 second.86. Leading edge flap and cockpit Full Range or Discrete ±5%............ 1.................... 0.5% of full range flap control position.87. Ground spoiler position and Full range or discrete ±5%............ 0.5.................. 0.3% of full range... speed brake selection.88. All cockpit flight control Full range control ±5%............ 1.................... 0.3% full range...... For fly-by-wire input forces (control wheel, wheel ±70 lb flight control control column, rudder pedal). control column systems, where ±85 rudder flight control pedal ±165. surface position is a function of the displacement of the control input device only, it is not necessary to record this parameter. For airplanes that have a flight control break away). capability that allows either pilot to operate the control independently, record both control force inputs. The control force inputs may be sampled alternately once per 2 seconds to produce the sampling interval of 1.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ For A300 B2/B4 airplanes, resolution=6 seconds.\2\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution=0.703°.\3\ For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, resolution=0.275% (0.088°>0.064°). For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution=2.20%(0.703°>0.064°).\4\ For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, resolution=0.22% (0.088°>0.080°). For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution=1.76% (0.703°>0.080°).\5\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 1.18% (0.703°>0.120°).\6\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution=0.783% (0.352°>0.090°).\7\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, aileron resolution = 0.704% (0.352°>0.100°). For A330/A340 series airplanes, spoiler resolution = 1.406% (0.703°>0.100°).\8\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution=0.30% (0.176°>0.12°). For A330/A340 series airplanes, seconds per sampling interval=1.\9\ For B-717 series airplanes, resolution = .005g. For Dassault F900C/F900EX airplanes, resolution = .007g.\10\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution=1.05% (0.250°>0.120°).\11\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 1.05% (0.250°>0.120°). For A300 B2/B4 series airplanes, resolution = 0.92% (0.230°>0.125°).\12\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, spoiler resolution = 1.406% (0.703°>0.100°).\13\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution=0.5°C.\14\ For Dassault F900C/F900EX airplanes, Radio altitude resolution = 1.25 ft.\15\ For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution = 0.352 degrees.\16\ For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, resolution = 4.32%. For A330/A340 series airplanes, resolution is 3.27% of full range for throttle lever angle (TLA); for reverse thrust, reverse throttle lever angle (RLA) resolution is nonlinear over the active reverse thrust range, which is 51.54 degrees to 96.14 degrees. The resolved element is 2.8 degrees uniformly over the entire active reverse thrust range, or 2.9% of the full range value of 96.14 degrees.\17\ For A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, with IAE engines, resolution = 2.58%.
