Title 14

PART 121 APPENDIX B


Appendix B to Part 121 - Airplane Flight Recorder Specification

14:3.0.1.1.7.32.3.1.8 : Appendix B

Appendix B to Part 121 - Airplane Flight Recorder Specification
Parameters Range Accuracy sensor input to DFDR readout Sampling interval (per second) Resolution 4 readout
Time (GMT or Frame Counter) (range 0 to 4095, sampled 1 per frame) 24 Hrs ±0.125% Per Hour 0.25 (1 per 4 seconds) 1 sec.
Altitude −1,000 ft to max certificated altitude of aircraft ±100 to ±700 ft (See Table 1, TSO-C51a) 1 5′ to 35′ 1
Airspeed 50 KIAS to V so, and V so to 1.2VD ±5%, ±3% 1 1 kt.
Heading 360° ±2° 1 0.5°
Normal Acceleration (Vertical) −3g to + 6g ±1% of max range excluding datum error of ±5% 8 0.01g.
Pitch Attitude ±75° ±2° 1 0.5°
Roll Attitude ±180° ±2° 1 0.5°
Radio Transmitter Keying On-Off (Discrete) ±2° ±2%
Thrust/Power on Each Engine Full Range Forward ±2° 1 (per engine) 0.2% 2
Trailing Edge Flap or Cockpit Control Selection Full Range or Each Discrete Position ±3° or as Pilot's Indicator 0.5 0.5% 2
Leading Edge Flap or Cockpit Control Selection Full Range or Each Discrete Position ±3° or as Pilot's Indicator 0.5 0.5% 2
Thrust Reverser Position Stowed, In Transit, and Reverse (Discrete) 1 (per 4 seconds per engine)
Ground Spoiler Position/Speed Brake Selection Full Range or Each Discrete Position ±2% Unless Higher Accuracy Uniquely Required 1 0.2% 2.
Marker Beacon Passage Discrete 1
Autopilot Engagement Discrete 1
Longitudinal Acceleration ±1g ±1.5% max range excluding datum error of ±5% 4 0.01g.
Pilot Input and/or Surface Position - Primary Controls (Pitch, Roll, Yaw) 3 Full Range ±2° Unless Higher Accuracy Uniquely Required 1 0.2% 2.
Lateral Acceleration ±1g ±1.5% max range excluding datum error of ±5% 4 0.01g.
Pitch Trim Position Full Range ±3% Unless Higher Accuracy Uniquely Required 1 0.3% 2.
Glideslope Deviation ±400 Microamps ±3% 1 0.3% 2.
Localizer Deviation ±400 Microamps ±3% 1 0.3% 2.
AFCS Mode and Engagement Status Discrete 1
Radio Altitude −20 ft to 2,500 ft ±2 Ft or ±3% Whichever is Greater Below 500 Ft and ±5% Above 500 Ft 1 1 ft + 5% 2 above 500′.
Master Warning Discrete 1
Main Gear Squat Switch Status Discrete 1
Angle of Attack (if recorded directly). As installed As installed 2 0.3% 2
Outside Air Temperature or Total Air Temperature. −50 °C to + 90 °C ±2 °c 0.5 0.3 °c
Hydraulics, Each System Low Pressure Discrete 0.5 or 0.5% 2
Groundspeed. As installed Most Accurate Systems Installed (IMS Equipped Aircraft Only) 1 0.2% 2
If additional recording capacity is available, recording of the following parameters is recommended. The parameters are listed in order of significance:
Drift Angle When available, As installed As installed 4
Wind Speed and Direction When available, As installed As installed 4
Latitude and Longitude When available, As installed As installed 4
Brake pressure/Brake pedal position As installed As installed 1
Additional engine parameters:
EPR As installed As installed 1 (per engine).
N1 As installed As installed 1 (per engine).
N2 As installed As installed 1 (per engine).
EGT As installed As installed 1 (per engine).
Throttle Lever Position As installed As installed 1 (per engine).
Fuel Flow As installed As installed 1 (per engine).
TCAS:
TA As installed As installed 1
RA As installed As installed 1
Sensitivity level (as selected by crew) As installed As installed 2
GPWS (ground proximity warning system) Discrete 1
Landing gear or gear selector position Discrete 0.25 (1 per 4 seconds)
DME 1 and 2 Distance 0-200 NM; As installed 0.25 1 mi.
Nav 1 and 2 Frequency Selection Full range As installed 0.25