Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
Definition
A mandatory aircraft recording device under ICAO Annex 6 that captures 25 or more flight parameters over at least the last 25 hours of flight on a crash-protected and fire-resistant device.
- Regulatory basis
- ICAO Annex 6
- Minimum parameters
- 25 or more flight parameters
- Minimum duration
- At least the last 25 hours of flight
- Construction
- Crash-protected and fire-resistant
Common questions
How does the FDR differ from the cockpit voice recorder in an investigation?+
The FDR captures quantitative flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and control positions, while the cockpit voice recorder captures crew conversation and ambient cockpit sounds. Investigators correlate both to reconstruct the sequence of events, since neither alone gives the full picture.
Why does ICAO mandate a minimum 25-hour recording duration?+
A long recording window ensures that data from the entire flight, and often preceding flights depending on how quickly the recorder overwrites, remains available for analysis, rather than only the final minutes, which helps investigators identify anomalies that developed well before the incident.
Related terms
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