AAC NO 3 of 2004 Date: 04th Oct 2004

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION

AIRWORTHINESS ADVISORY CIRCULAR

SUBJECT: Routine Readout and maintenance of CVR units installed on Aircraft. 1. Applicability The fitment of CVR is made mandatory in twin-engine aircraft where STC is available or where the manufacturer has included this equipment as a part of the Type Certificate. 2. Recording Integrity of the CVR units 2.1 In order to ensure the recording integrity of the CVR units for carrying out investigation of accidents/incidents and the performance of flight crew with regard to adherence to cockpit checklists, the following actions are required: 2.2 All operators are required to carry out a CVR readout at their facilities as per requirements given in this circular for each serial number of the CVR unit operated by them. Proper records are to be maintained for the readouts carried out which should be authenticated by the QCM. In addition, all operators are required to send one copy of audio cassette containing recording of each CVR to DGCA hqrs. (Attn: Shri R. Chinnadurai, Dy. Director of R&D), New Delhi for technical and operational evaluation of the recordings of each CVR. The cassettes should be clearly marked with the following information:

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Type, Model and Serial number of CVR unit, Registration of the aircraft, Flight number Date of operation Names of flight crew The operators may, if required, bring the CVR unit to DGCA Hqrs. on working days for spot evaluation.

2.3 Whenever any malfunctioning or unsatisfactory recording is observed during the in-house performance check, immediate corrective action should be taken by the QCM and proper record of removal and corrective action taken should be maintained. 3. Deactivation of bulk erase facility 3.1 The Cockpit voice Recorder have built in bulk erase facility and recordings recorded in the CVR unit can be erased by means of a switch located in the cockpit. To ensure that the recordings in the CVR unit are available at all time for the purpose of monitoring flight crew performance, investigation of incidents/accidents. etc. DGCA vide letter no. 11-690/93-AI(2) dated 7th December, 1993 had advised all regional offices to ensure deactivation of bulk erase facility. It has been observed been observed that some of the operators have deactivated the said facility by removing the wire from the connector leading to the bulk erase card on the CVR unit. In such cases the CVR unit retains the bulk erase capability.

3.2 To ensure positive deactivation of the bulk erase system, the bulk erase deactivation shall be carried out by removing the relevant card from the CVR unit.

3.3 Necessary log book entries shall be made in the Radio log book for reflecting the above work done.

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04th October, 2004

4. Standardisation of life of CVR

4.1 Overhaul life for the following CVR unit has been fixed as below with immediate effect irrespective of any other stipulations.

Type of CVR Fairchild MRU Model

Bench check A-100/100A/ECIL- 1500 flight hours

Overhaul life 6000 flight hours

Sunstrand unit (Pt No. 980-6005-074/ 076)

-do-

-do-

Note : The above is not applicable for Solid State CVR.

4.2 Such of those operators who have an approved TBO less than 6000 hours may be permitted to develop the life as per approved life development program.

4.3 During bench check carry out at least the following a) Clean the interior of the unit with special emphasis on cleaning of the roller, pressure pad etc. b) Clean the heads. c) Inspect the tape for satisfactory condition.

4.4 All operators are advised to note that while proposing the life of major components, the components manufacturer's recommendations should be overriding consideration. The life followed by other operators using similar type of units by the same manufacturer should also be borne in mind to ensure standardization of overhaul life of components.

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5. Requirements. I. SCHEDULED OPERATORS (i) Tape based recorders CVR monitoring frequency (ii) Solid State recorders -30 days

DGCA officials (Flight Recorder Lab) will carry out Random sampling of flight data obtainable from the recorders (CVR) installed on various aircraft. II. NON SCHEDULED OPERATORS

(I)

Tape based recorders CVR monitoring frequency -30 days

(ii)

Solid State recorders CVR monitoring frequency - 180 days

In addition DGCA officials may carry out Random milking from non scheduled operators at any time of choice. 6. This supersedes Airworthiness Advisory Circular No. 3 of 2003, dated 17th January 2003.

Sd/P.K.Chattopadyay Joint Director General of Civil Aviation