Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Regulation

Overview
Reference: 23.71.00002 First Issue Date: 12-NOV-2013 Last Publication Date:
02-OCT-2015

ATA: 23-71 ; 31-33

A/C Type : A300 ; A300-600 ; A310 ; A318 ;

A319 ; A320 ; A321 ; A330 ; A340 ; A340-500 ;
A340-600 ; A350 ; A380 ; AST

Old Wise Ref:

EngOps-16324

Engineering Support
First Issue Date: 12-NOV-2013 Last Publication Date: 02-OCT-2015

Applicability
All AIRBUS A/C.

References
FAA: Code of Federal Regulation Title 14 : Aeronautics and Space/ Part 121
(Operating Requirements) 121.344 and 121.359.
EASA: Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/12 (5 Oct 2012)/Part CAT (Commercial
Air Transportation) / IDE (Instruments, Data, Equipment) / A (Aircraft).

Description
Some airlines ask if their DFDR or CVR system is compliant with applicable
regulations.
The answer depends on the list of applicable requirements and on the A/C
configuration.
This article is providing some summary information about main operational
regulation (FAA and EASA) concerning DFDR and CVR. The data provided here is
for information: in case of any doubt, A/C operators should liaise with their national
authorities, to obtain the list of applicable requirements.

Solution
The following figure shows, for A/C operated under FAA Part 121, a summary of
requirements, depending on A/C manufacturing date.

The following figure shows, for A/C under EASA regulation, a summary of
requirements for DFDR/CVR.

Advice for A/C changing state of registry

Applicable regulation can be found within the Operational Requirements and
depends on each country. Consequently, when A/C changes its state of registry (this
may happen for a leased A/C, or for an A/C sold to another operator), it is important
to ensure that the CVR/DFDR installation is still compliant with regulation, otherwise,
some upgrade might be advisable.
An upgrade to DFDRs / CVRS system can be obtained, if necessary, through
RFC/RMO procedure.
In general, it is highly recommended to install the different Standard SBs that are
published by Airbus. Installation of these SB will tend to improve the recording of
parameters.

ICAO Recorder Types

The ICAO considers the following types of Flight Data Recorders, for those
applicable to AIRBUS A/C:

ICAO Type I: A recorder for use in aeroplanes over 27 000 kg MTWA and which is
capable of retaining the data recorded during the last 25 hours of its operation. A
Type I recorder shall record the parameters required to determine accurately the
aeroplane flight path, speed, attitude, engine power, configuration and operation.
A recorder is considered type IA if it can record a list of 32 parameters listed in
ICAO Convention Annex 6.
*This recorder is applicable to A/C manufactured after 01/01/1989.

ICAO Type IA: A recorder for use in aeroplanes over 5 700 kg MTWA and which is
capable of retaining the data recorded during the last 25 hours of its operation. A
type IA recorder shall record the parameters required to determine accurately the
aeroplane flight path, speed, attitude, engine power, configuration and operation.
A recorder is considered type IA if it can record a list of 78 parameters, listed in
ICAO Convention Annex 6.
*This recorder is applicable to A/C manufactured after 01/01/2005.

Important note:
The list of parameters that should be recorded as per ICAO requirements can be
checked in ICAO Convention Annex 6, however it is possible to say that the 32 and
78 parameters of ICAO requirement are met and exceeded by FAR 121.344,
respectively 57 and 88 parameters lists, and also by EASA regulation.
In other words, it is possible to assume that:

On A/C with 256 wps recording speed, the DFDRS is compliant with ICAO
Type IA description.
On A/C with 128 wps recording speed, the DFDRS is compliant with ICAO
Type I recorder.

AIRBUS is not providing a statement of compliance to ICAO Type I or Type IA

recorder. However, any A/L can easily demonstrate compliance to ICAO rule by
showing the list of parameters recorded (to be extracted from the tool FDRPL Flight
Data Recorder Parameter Library).

How to show compliance to ICAO Type I or Type IA recorder

requirement.
AIRBUS is not providing formal statement of compliance of the DFDRS to ICAO
requirement. It is up to the operator of each A/C to show such compliance. However,
this does not represent particular difficulty, if following steps are applied:

The A/L should determine if, as per ICAO rule, the required recorder type is a
Type I or a Type 1A. Basically:
o If an A/C has been manufactured after 01/01/2005, the required type
is IA.
o If the A/C has been manufactured between 01/01/1989, the required
type is Type 1.
Then the A/L should check the recording speed of its DFDRs installation.
o If the speed is at least 128 words by seconds, then the list of
parameters recorded is based on FAA 121.344 appendix M list of
parameters, which contains all 32 parameters required by the ICAO. In
such case, DFDRS should be considered compliant to ICAO Type
I.
o If the speed is at least 256 words by seconds, then the list of
parameters is based on FAR121.344 Appendix M list of 88
parameters, which exceeds the list of 78 parameters provided by
ICAO. In such case, DFDRS should be considered compliant to
ICAO Type IA.

Example: on an A/C manufactured in 2002, the DFDRS, as per ICAO rule should be
type I. So this DFDRS should record the first 32 parameters of ICAO Table A1-8.
If this DFDR has a speed of 128 wps, then it is recording the 57 first parameters of
FAR 121.344 Appendix M. Therefore it is recording the 32 first parameters of ICAO,
this is due to the fact that there is a matching between both paramters lists as
follows:
Parameter requested in ICAO Annex 6
table A1-8
1

Corresponding parameter in FAR

121.344 appendix M;
1

10

20

11

21

12

22

13

23

14

24

15

25

16

11

17

18

18

12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17

19

19

20

26

21

27

22

28

23

29

24

30

25

46

26

45

27

31

28

35 and 44

29

32

30

33

31

34, 39 and 37.

32

36

Where is it possible to find Standards and Regulations?

The regulation, as well as TSO documents, is usually published by each country on
official web site. This information is public.
The standards (Eurocae ED55, ED56, ED112 ARINC 717, 647A, ...) are the property
of their respective authors (Eurocae, Arinc), as such they are not provided by Airbus
to Airlines. These documents can be purchased, if needed, directly from respective
authoring organisms.
The different TSOs applicable to Flight Recorders (TSO c123a/b, TSO c124a/b, TSO
c121a/b) usually make applicable, partially or totally, Eurocae documents
(ED55/56/112), TSO may also add requirements. Compliance of given unit to TSO is
usually stated in Vendor CMM (Component Maintenance Manual) document.

Compliance to specific requirements:

Data link recording:
The data link recording allows retrieving the communication between the crew and
ground control using data link communication system.
The scope of datalink recording is described in EUROCAE ED122 standard (Part
IV).
On AIRBUS A/C, the datalink recording is performed by the CVRS and records the
following messages:

CPDLC (Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications),

AFN (Aircraft Flight Notification),
ADS-C (Automatic Dependant Surveillance - Contract),
Data link Flight Information Services (D-FIS),
Specific ARINC 623 applications of DCL (Departure Clearance), OCL (Oceanic
Clearance) and D-ATIS (Data link Automatic Traffic Information Service).

The datalink recording is considered available on an A/C when the corresponding MOD has
been installed (the MOD stacking ensures all prerequisites are also installed).

On A320 family A/C: Activation of datalink recording function is done through MOD
151943.
On A330/A340 family A/C: Activation of datalink recording function is done through
MOD: 201096.
On A380: datalink recording is available on all A/C.
On A350: datalink recording is available on all A/C.

RIPS (Recorder independent Power supply) or equivalent solution:

The RIPS is defined in 14 CFR 25.1457(d)(5).

To summarize, on any AIRBUS A/C, whenever the CVR equipment is powered with 28
VDC (instead on 115 VAC), then it can be considered compliant with RIPS.
To find formal statement regarding compliance to RIPS, it is possible to refer to:
A320 family A/C: ELOS ref.: TD0781IB-T-SE-26.
A330 and A340 family A/C: TD0774IB-T SA-1.
A380: Equivalent safety finding ref: TD00823IB-T.
These documents explain and justify AIRBUS design compliance with FAA requirement
25.1457(d)(5).
Hot Mike recording
FAR 121.359 states: "Record the uninterrupted audio signals received by boom or
mask microphone."
To comply with this operational regulation, there is a "hot mike" function which
enables permanent recording in cockpit from the boomset and the oxygen mask.
This function is basic on most Airbus A/C; more information can be found in Airbus
publication browsing hot mike term. (A minimum standard of ACP is needed).
Recording of PA (Public Address)
Regulation (Refer to EASA Part CAT and FAR 25.1457) requires to record the
communication between the flight crew and the passengers, done with the Public
Address system.
This is done by applying FCOM Cockpit Preparation procedure, where the THIRD
OCCUPANT AUDIO CONTROL PANEL is set to RECEPTION mode. This
automatically transfers any audio signal from the passenger address system to the
CVR.
Channel Recording allocation:
The allocation of channels is to be found in the ASM or AWM of each A/C. In
particular, the vendor CMM shall not be used to determine the channel allocation.
Most frequently, the assignment of channels on Airbus A/C is as follows:
Channel 1 on pin 30/32: Captain
Channel 2 on pin 35/37: F/O
Channel 3 on pin 41/43: 3rd Occupant
Channel 4 on pin 45/47: CAM
However, other assignment can be found on WB A/C where CAPT and F/O channels are
located on the innermost part of the magnetic tape (Channels 2 and 3).
The prevailing reference to determine channel assignment is the ASM or AWM.
Compliance with ED112 Standard

The EASA part CAT, CAT.IDE.A.185, and its associated Acceptable Means of Compliance
and Guidance Material (AMC/GM to CAT.IDE.A.185) states that CVR has to be compliant
to ED112, for A/C manufactured after 01 January 2016.
Similar requirement exist for DFDR in CAT.IDE.A.190.
This EASA mandate has not retrofit impact (only A/C to be manufactured after 01/01/2016
are concerned).
The following table lists the impact of ED112 introduction on Airbus production aircraft:
Evolutions due to ED112

Reference

A300-A310

Programme

Not Applicable.

N/A.

A320

CVR System: TBD

TBD

DFDR System: TBD

A330

CVR System:
Introduction of new CAM PN
DM58-0048-10
The CVR Control unit is
removed, and replaced by a
new VU panel 242VU.
DFDR System:
New DFDRs software PN F340002-0002

A380

CVR System:
No impact
DFDR System:
New DFDRS software to be
loaded on CDAM PN SFI57S0002S0485

MOD : 205262
COMMUNICATIONS COCKPIT VOICE
RECORDER(CVR) - INSTALL
NEW L3COM MICRO CVR
DM58 COMPLIANT WITH
EASA ED-112 MANDATE
MOD : 205251
COMMUNICATIONS COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
(CVR) - INSTALL CVR
CONTROL UNIT COMPLIANT
WITH EASA ED-112
MANDATE
MOD 205538
INDICATING/RECORDING
SYS - DFDRS INTRODUCE FDIMU/FDIF S/W
STD FL2 TO
COMPLY WITH ED112.
MOD 76363
INDICATING/RECORDING
SYSTEM - DFDRS INSTALL NEW DFDRS S/W
COMPLYING
EUROCAE ED112
REQUIREMENTS

A350

No impact.

N/A

 Airbus SAS, 2014. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.The technical
information provided in this article is for convenience and information purposes only. It shall in
no case replace the official Airbus technical or Flight Operations data which shall remain the sole
basis for aircraft maintenance and operation. These recommendations and information do not
constitute a contractual commitment, warranty or guarantee whatsoever. They shall not
supersede the Airbus technical nor operational documentation; should any deviation appear
between this article and the Airbus or airline's official manuals, the operator must ensure to
cover it with the appropriate document such as TA, FCD, RAS. Access to WISE is supplied by
Airbus under the express condition that Airbus hereby disclaims any and all liability for the use
made by the user of the information contained in WISE. It shall be used for the user's own
purposes only and shall not be reproduced or disclosed to any third party without the prior
consent of Airbus.