There are various standards mandated by aviation authorities in order to analyze and improve flight safety and performance. Such standards apply to many aircraft systems, each serving a distinct purpose.
It’s safe to say that FDRs (Flight Data Recorders) and APUs (Auxiliary Power Units) play a crucial role in the continuity of performance and ensuring aircraft security.
FDR is considered an umbrella term containing Flight Data Recorder, Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), and Crash-Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU).
The FDR, commonly known as the “black box,” is a mandatory device in the aviation industry that records specific aircraft performance parameters and flight data essential for monitoring aircraft conditions or investigating incidents for future prevention.
The CVR integrated into the black box records audio from the cockpit to capture verbal communication and ambient sounds to monitor flight conditions and incidents.
The CSMU is a large bolted cylinder that contains the black box, built to survive extremes. Thus, they are vigorously tested and certified to protect the FDRs.
Both FDR and CSM are essential for reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to the accident since they record data on flight parameters and cockpit conversations and sounds to help understand the causes. The FDR also enables the airlines to do routine performance analyses to improve efficiency and safety by monitoring operational issues.
APU is a small integral jet engine located either in the tail cone or in an engine nacelle of an aircraft that provides electrical and pneumatic energy. This allows the aircraft to function even when the main engines are not running and supplies the necessary power and bleed air to initiate the engines. It also provides a backup power source in dire situations such as engine failures or maintaining cabin safety in areas without ground support.
Two of the most successful modern commercial aircraft are Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350.
In 2006, Boeing 787 became the first aircraft equipped with enhanced airborne flight recorders (EAFR). The flight data acquisition unit (FDAU) was developed to be able to record more data despite increasing incoming sensor data.
Boeing 787 has the specially designed APS5000 APU. Known as the quietest APU, it also has the lowest emissions in the aviation industry. As another advantage, its maintenance plans provide flexibility and predictable costs.
In 2017, Airbus announced that their commercial aircraft would receive lighter and more compact current FDRs. The new Automatic Deployable Flight Recorder selected for the A350 family would be capable of recording up to 25 hours on a single recorder, equipped with an Emergency Locator Transmitter for rapid locating.
The Airbus A350 contains the HGT1700 APU that incorporates industry-leading technology, reduced weight, maximized performance, energy efficiency, and low-cost operations. This APU system that reduces the aircraft’s weight also decreases APU fuel use and carbon monoxide emissions by 10%.
As the industry sheds a spotlight on these aircraft, the expectations are high regarding durability and efficiency. iNRCORE has been providing both Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 with a complete product line of signal and power products for avionics against these critical expectations.
With ruggedized PCB mounting clips and added epoxy, iNRCORE’s power inductors display superior performance in cases of shock and vibration. Having met the MIL-PRF-27 requirements, iNRCORE’s power products bring the utmost durability to APUs.
iNRCORE’s signal transformers meet MIL-PRF-21038 environmental requirements and support Ethernet protocols such as AFDX (Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet), TTE (Time-Triggered Ethernet), and IEEE 802.3x (including PoE), meeting avionic industry standards to greet and further improve FDR technology.
In addition to commercial aerospace, iNRCORE has been customizing, designing, and manufacturing military-grade product lines used in Blackhawk, F-16, and F-35 (deemed as “hovering computer”). Designed, modified, and manufactured rugged, iNRCORE stands proud as its products leave the mark of durability on the skies.
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