Universal Avionics has obtained FAA technical standard order approval for its new sixth-generation Kapture series of cockpit voice and flight data recorders (CVR/FDR). The Kapture models meet worldwide certification requirements, including the ED-112A internationally-recognized flight recorder standard.
To make shipping simpler, the Kapture recorders come with a lithium-free 90-day underwater locator beacon. Universal offer five options in the Kapture product line: CVFDR-1650 (combined CVR/FDR); CVFDR-1650R (combined CVR/FDR unit with embedded recorder independent power supply); CVR-1651 (baseline CVR); CVR-1651R (CVR with embedded RIPS); and FDR-1652 (baseline FDR).
Countries with upcoming regulatory requirements for recorders include Mexico, which mandates CVRs and FDRs starting Dec. 31, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2022, for commercially operated turbine airplanes with 10 or more passenger seats (including air taxis) and large turbine helicopters flying in Mexican airspace under an international air operator certificate. EASA will require CVRs in aircraft with an mtow of 59,500 pounds or higher manufactured from Jan. 1, 2021.
The Kapture CVR and CVFDR can record more than 25 hours of audio and meet the EASA mandate. The units also store more than 25 hours of non-audio content such as time, rotor speed, and datalink messaging. The FDR can store more than 90 hours of data, or another 25 hours can be added by including two Arinc 429 ports.
For downloading data faster and performing field-loadable updates, Universal Avionics offers the Flight Archive Ground Maintenance PC Tool. The tool eliminates the need to install a separate quick-access recorder, which saves time and money, according to Universal.