Working on a writing project and have a couple of questions if anyone knows. I hope they won't sound too dumb.
a) When there's a technical fault with a cockpit voice recorder (outside of a crash), are airline maintenance people alerted and do they handle it? Or do they just remove and send to a specialist place?
b) Is there any way to playback the CVR within the aircraft?
Many thanks,
B
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Re: CVR question
falter wrote:a) When there's a technical fault with a cockpit voice recorder (outside of a crash), are airline maintenance people alerted and do they handle it? Or do they just remove and send to a specialist place?
Both. The item is written up by the flight crew or the maintenance crew when the fault is detected. If it's the CVR itself that is at fault (or suspected), the box is replaced and sent out for repair. Unless the operator has an in-house avionics shop, and the ability (read that as certification) to repair and return the box to service.
falter wrote:b) Is there any way to playback the CVR within the aircraft?
No.
Re: CVR question
On the A320 there is an ECAM generated when there is a fault with the system. Also the CVR should be tested before the first flight of the day using the CVR test button according to the procedure. I can. It look it up right now but I think you are allowed to dispatch the aircraft according to the MEL without a CVR (I think it's a category C item, but I would have to look it up to be sure).
Re: CVR question
Flow2706 wrote:look it up right now but I think you are allowed to dispatch the aircraft according to the MEL without a CVR (I think it's a category C item, but I would have to look it up to be sure).
Ours are CAT A. Must be repaired within 3 days.
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- CanadianNorth
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Re: CVR question
There is a test button in the cockpit that is part of the daily checks, and there is a more in depth scheduled maintenance check as well, I think it's an annual item but I could be wrong.
The CVR boxes themselves are usually pretty easy to remove and install, and any issues with them it gets removed and sent to an avionics shop. This can be an in house shop or sent away, depends on the operator. I believe there is an MEL so if you're stuck you can fly without a functioning CVR, but it doesn't let you fly for very long, it's either three days or ten days, can't remember which.
I'm pretty sure you can't play back the recordings in the airplane, but if you take the CVR to an avionics shop they should be able to play it fairly easily.
The CVR boxes themselves are usually pretty easy to remove and install, and any issues with them it gets removed and sent to an avionics shop. This can be an in house shop or sent away, depends on the operator. I believe there is an MEL so if you're stuck you can fly without a functioning CVR, but it doesn't let you fly for very long, it's either three days or ten days, can't remember which.
I'm pretty sure you can't play back the recordings in the airplane, but if you take the CVR to an avionics shop they should be able to play it fairly easily.
Re: CVR question
Thanks guys!! I really, really appreciate the info.
Do any of you know specifically about the 787? From what I have read its system (EAFR) is a bit different..with recorders in front and rear of plane. I think I read somewhere they've actually had some teething issues. I haven't managed to locate a picture of the front panel for one, if there is one.. would they have a test button too? And/or do they alert through the main computer?
Do any of you know specifically about the 787? From what I have read its system (EAFR) is a bit different..with recorders in front and rear of plane. I think I read somewhere they've actually had some teething issues. I haven't managed to locate a picture of the front panel for one, if there is one.. would they have a test button too? And/or do they alert through the main computer?
Re: CVR question
CanadianNorth wrote:I'm pretty sure you can't play back the recordings in the airplane, but if you take the CVR to an avionics shop they should be able to play it fairly easily.
That would depend on the contract between the pilot union and the airline. At my airline, the CVR recording is not allowed to be accessed or played back unless there's been an accident or incident investigation.
I guess mechanics can always playback the audio recording without any party (airline management or pilot union) knowing.
The safety department downloads aircraft FOQA data all the time to check that the aircraft is being operated within company standards. Flight crews get calls from the union for excessive taxi speeds or non-stable approaches.
During recurrent we visited with the safety guy one day, and he said, "Can you believe this?" as he rummages through a stack of PCMCIA cards pulled from data recorder from the various aircraft and plugs it into the computer and we watch an aircraft do significant S-turns below 1000ft at 180kts on final approach or watch another aircraft touch down 3000ft past the TDZ and rollout all the way to the end of a 12000ft runway before it slows to a safe taxi speed.
Re: CVR question
Woodreau wrote:"Can you believe this?" as he rummages through a stack of PCMCIA cards pulled from data recorder from the various aircraft and plugs it into the computer and we watch an aircraft do significant S-turns below 1000ft at 180kts on final approach.
I assume you have never been to KJFK? To be honest, I have been asked to do that numerous times on final going into JFK, especially on 31R. Often happens when it is quite busy and TRACON and Tower get their spacing messed up. While not the optimum solution, it is far from unsafe.
Re: CVR question
No wasn't JFK it was on the other coast, the aircraft was still doing S-turns below 500ft at 180kts flaps 2 and landed, but with the terrain (hills immediately to the north of the runway, the Laurel parking garage on short final and the downtown buildings immediately to the east of the runway) the aircraft had no business doing S-turns that low and should have just gone around, but they didn't.
These airplanes will snitch on you all the time.
These airplanes will snitch on you all the time.
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