Flight Data Technologies
Loading...

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has proposed amending requirements for underwater locating devices (ULDs) and cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) to substantially extend their transmission and recording times. In an announcement on May 6, the agency cited the March 8 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 as justifying the changes, which it first floated last December.

The new rules, which must be adopted by the European Commission, would require a threefold increase, from 30 to 90 days, in the transmission time of ULDs attached to the flight data recorders of commercial transport aircraft after January 2018. The recording time of CVRs would be increased tenfold, from two to 20 hours, for large aircraft issued an individual certificate of airworthiness after January 2020.

EASA also proposes that large aircraft flying overwater routes be equipped with new 8.8 kHz ULDs by January 2019. The low-frequency devices, recommended by a “flight data recovery” working group of France’s BEA accident investigation bureau following the loss of Air France Flight 447 in June 2009, have longer underwater range than the 37.5 kHz ULDs currently required. Alternatively, an aircraft may be equipped with a means to determine the location of an accident within 6 nm accuracy, EASA said.

The changes to existing requirements were outlined in a notice of proposed amendment the agency published on December 20, before the multinational search for MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean. EASA, based in Cologne, Germany, said it received 75 comments by the end of the consultation period on March 20.

“The tragic flight of Malaysia Airlines MH370 demonstrates that safety can never be taken for granted,” said EASA executive director Patrick Ky. “The proposed changes are expected to increase safety by facilitating the recovery of information by safety investigation authorities.”

Source: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2014-05-06/easa-proposes-new-rules-flight-recorders-beacons

More from Our Blog

You Might Also Like

Impact of Environmental Regulations on Aviation

Environmental laws have had a significant impact on the aviation industry, prompting changes in aircraft design, operations, and overall practices to reduce the environmental footprint of air travel. These laws are driven by concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, air quality, and other environmental factors. Here are some of the key impacts of environmental laws on aviation: Emissions Reduction: Environmental laws have led to regulations that target aircraft emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). These regulations have spurred the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft engines and technologies to reduce the overall carbon footprint of aviation. Airlines have adopted more efficient operational practices, such as single-engine taxiing, optimized routes, and improved air traffic management, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Alternative Fuels: Environmental laws have encouraged the aviation industry to explore and adopt alternative fuels, such as biofuels and synthetic fuels, which produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional jet fuel.

Posted on 
Sep 27, 2023

The Importance of Quick Access Recorders

Over the decades, flying in a commercial airliner has become a relatively safe experience compared to years past. That being said, flying in an aircraft still carries some level of risk, and there is always a chance of an incident or accident occurring, potentially resulting in significant financial costs or passenger fatalities.

Posted on 
Jul 7, 2023
See All Posts