Appendix E to Part 125 - 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.
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Accuracy (sensor Seconds per sampling
Parameters Range input) interval Resolution Remarks
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1. Time or Relative Times 24 Hrs, 0 to 4095..... ±0.125% Per Hour. 4.................... 1 sec................ UTC time preferred
Counts.\1\. when available.
Count increments
each 4 seconds of
system operation.
2. Pressure Altitude............... -1000 ft to max ±100 to ±700 1.................... 5[foot] to 35[foot].. Data should be
certificated altitude ft (see table, TSO obtained from the
of aircraft. +5000 ft. C124a or TSO C51a). air data computer
when practicable.
3. Indicated airspeed or Calibrated 50 KIAS or minimum ±5% and ±3%. 1.................... 1 kt................. Data should be
airspeed. value to Max obtained from the
V[INF]so[/INF], to air data computer
1.2 V.[INF]D[/INF]. 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 range 0.125. 0.004g. .....................
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 §
125.226(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 Engine- Full Range Forward.... ±2%.............. 1 (per engine)....... 0.2% of full range... Sufficient parameters
primary flight crew reference.\14\. (e.g. EPR, N1 or
Torque, NP) as
appropriate to the
particular engine be
recorded to
determine power in
forward and reverse
thrust, including
potential over-speed
condition.
10. Autopilot Engagement........... Discrete ``on'' or ...................... 1. .....................
``off''.
11. Longitudinal Acceleration...... ±1g.............. ±1.5% max. range 0.25................. 0.004g. .....................
excluding datum error
of ±5%.
12a. Pitch Control(s) position (non- Full Range............ ±2° Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... For airplanes that
fly-by-wire systems). Higher Accuracy airplanes operated have a flight
Uniquely Required. under § control break away
125.226(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
125.226(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.................. 0.2% 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 0.2% 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
or 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 0.2% 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. range 0.25................. 0.004g. .....................
excluding datum error
of ±5%.
19. Pitch Trim Surface Position.\9\ Full Range............ ±3° Unless 1.................... 0.3% 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_1
discrete.
23. Ground Spoiler Position or Full Range or Each ±2° Unless 1 or 0.5 for 0.2% of full range... .....................
Speed 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................. -20 ft to 2,500 ft.... ±2 ft or ±3% 1.................... 1 ft +5% above 500 ft For autoland/category
Whichever is Greater 3 operations, each
Below 500 ft and radio altimeter
±5% Above 500 should be recorded,
ft.. but arranged so that
at least one is
recorded each
second.
27. Localizer Deviation, MLS ±400 Microamps or As installed. ±3% 1.................... 0.3% of full range... For autoland/category
Azimuth, or GPS Lateral Deviation. available sensor recommended........... 3 operations. each
range as installed 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 or As installed ±3%. 1.................... 0.3% of full range... For autoland/category
Elevation, or GPS Vertical available sensor recommended........... 3 operations. each
Deviation. range as installed. system should be
0.9 to recorded but
+ 30°............ 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
125.226(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/
longtitude
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 lever 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 mile.
46. Nav 1 and 2 Selected Frequency. Full range............ As installed.......... 4.................... ..................... Sufficient to
determine selected
frequency
47. Selected barometric setting.... Full range............ ±5%.............. (1 per 64 sec.)...... 0.2% of full range. .....................
48. Selected Altitude.............. Full range............ ±5%.............. 1.................... 100 ft. .....................
49. Selected speed................. Full range............ ±5%.............. 1.................... 1 knot. .....................
50. Selected Mach.................. Full range............ ±5%.............. 1.................... .01. .....................
51. Selected vertical speed........ Full range............ ±5%.............. 1.................... 100 ft/min. .....................
52. 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 ft. .....................
55. 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 range. .....................
59. Fuel quantity in CG trim tank.. Full range............ ±5%.............. (1 per 64 sec.)...... 1% of full range. .....................
60. Primary Navigation System Discrete GPS, INS, VOR/ ...................... 4.................... ..................... A suitable
Reference. DME, MLS, Loran C, combination of
Omega, Localizer discrete 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 Higher 2.................... 0.3% of full range... .....................
Accuracy Uniquely
Required.
67. Roll Trim Surface Position..... Full Range............ ±3% Unless Higher 2.................... 0.3% of full range... .....................
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.... Decrete ``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 range. .....................
74. 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 ...................... 1.................... .....................
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.................. 0.2% of full range. .....................
speed brake selection.
88. All cockpit flight control Full Range ±5%.............. 1.................... 0.2% of full range... For fly-by-wire
input forces (control wheel, Control wheel flight control
control column, rudder pedal). ±70 lbs. systems, where
Control Column flight control
±85 lbs. surface position is
Rudder pedal a function of the
±165 lbs. 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.
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\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 A318/A319/A320/A321 series airplanes, resolution = 0.21% (0.088°>0.084°)
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/A320/A321 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 all Airbus airplanes, resolution = 0.518% (0.088°>0.051°)
\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 A300-600/A310 series airplanes, speed brake resolution = 0.224% (0.112°>0.100°)
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 A330 Airplanes with PW or RR Engines, resolution = .29%.
\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%.
[Doc. No. 28109, 62 FR 38390, July 17, 1997; 62 FR 48135, Sept.
12, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 125-32, 64 FR 46121, Aug. 24, 1999; 65 FR
2295, Jan. 14, 2000; Amdt. 125-32, 65 FR 2295, Jan. 14, 2000; Amdt.
125-34, 65 FR 51745, Aug. 24, 2000; 65 FR 81735, Dec. 27, 2000; Amdt.
125-39, 67 FR 54323, Aug. 21, 2002]
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