Flight Test Recorder

[stockdam]

Hi,

I'm looking for any regulations that would be related to an FTI data recorder.

Here are a few questions:

If an FTI recorder is in the cockpit of an aircraft and a test pilot or FTE needs to operate it then I guess it won't always be mounted in an easy to reach position (it's not a standard fit as it's FTI)........

Should the recorder have a remote-control (ON/OFF)?

What status information would be useful (recorder on and ready, recording)?

If there is a fault then if a warning lamp is used then should it be amber?

Even if the recorder is in reach then should one or more event buttons be made available (rather than on the recorder itself)?

If the recorder is mounted in front of the pilot then should any lamps/LEDs etc. be dimmable for night-time flying?

Are any of the above mandatory or because it is FTI then are they just nice to have?

[Matthew Parsons]

Start with what the user wants, then check if it meets whichever regulations you'll be operating within.

[ICT_SLB]

Stockdam,

I'm from the civil side of the house but here's some answers to your questions:

I'm looking for any regulations that would be related to an FTI data recorder.

Here are a few questions:

If an FTI recorder is in the cockpit of an aircraft and a test pilot or FTE needs to operate it then I guess it won't always be mounted in an easy to reach position (it's not a standard fit as it's FTI)........

Should the recorder have a remote-control (ON/OFF)?

Shouldn't be required with modern solid state recorders but you can switch the power with the anti-collision lights & back it up withe WoffW switch if you're going to be doing a lot of ground testing that doesn't need recording. For example the Avionica/L3 Quick Access Recorder is less than 2 inches square & can record the same amount of ARINC 717 data as an old-style FDR.

What status information would be useful (recorder on and ready, recording)?
Not required (see next)

If there is a fault then if a warning lamp is used then should it be amber?
FDR FAULT should be white as (a) it's not flight critical and (b) there's no pilot action. FDR FAULT (= Internal data check not valid) is the common CAS message.

Even if the recorder is in reach then should one or more event buttons be made available (rather than on the recorder itself)?
At least one EVENT button reachable under all foreseeable conditions - this can mean sticking one in an unlikely position. For instance, we found we needed one under the side window so that the co-pilot could hit it when he was looking out to mark overflying the threshold.

If the recorder is mounted in front of the pilot then should any lamps/LEDs etc. be dimmable for night-time flying?

If there are any lights in his forward view, then they should be dimmable in parallel with the usual lamp dimming.

Are any of the above mandatory or because it is FTI then are they just nice to have?

As Matthew said, it depends on your design authority but any data you collect will be worth its weight in gold.

[stockdam]

Thanks for the replies.

There's a difference between a Flight Test recorder and one that is a standard fit (doing structural or health monitoring). For the second type I agree that the pilot doesn't need to do anything or to know anything about the recorder. However some flight test engineers do like feedback as to what it is doing (a throwback to the old mag tape days).

The point about having a flexible event button is very valid.

[ICT_SLB]

Stockdam,
We have ADAS recorders for flight test on our aircraft as well as the Regulation FDR - while some FTEs like to have a tape recorder to fuss over, the main data collection comes from the unmonitored hard drive. There may be test cases where monitoring of the actual recording is required - say in extremely high sampling rates - but in reality the modern recorder doesn't need it and especially so if it's a single place aircraft or reduced crew for risk reasons. All worries about parameters, data rate, scaling etc should be taken care of before flight to remove the need for monitoring the data flow.

[FlightTester]

while some FTEs like to have a tape recorder to fuss over, the main data collection comes from the unmonitored hard drive

Oh that's harsh banter that is - I look at the hard drive at least two times a flight - once when I switch the archive on and once when I switch it off.