Open Table
Parameters Range Installed system1 minimum accuracy (to recovered data) Sampling interval (per second) Resolution4 read out
Relative time (from recorded on prior to takeoff) 25 hr minimum ±0.125% per hour 1 1 sec.
Indicated airspeed Vso to VD (KIAS) ±5% or ±10 kts., whichever is greater. Resolution 2 kts. below 175 KIAS 1 1%3.
Altitude −1,000 ft. to max cert. alt. of A/C ±100 to ±700 ft. (see Table 1, TSO C51-a) 1 25 to 150
Magnetic heading 360° ±5° 1
Vertical acceleration −3g to + 6g ±0.2g in addition to ±0.3g maximum datum 4 (or 1 per second where peaks, ref. to 1g are recorded) 0.03g.
Longitudinal acceleration ±1.0g ±1.5% max. range excluding datum error of ±5% 2 0.01g.
Pitch attitude 100% of usable ±2° 1 0.8°
Roll attitude ±60° or 100% of usable range, whichever is greater ±2° 1 0.8°
Stabilizer trim position Full range ±3% unless higher uniquely required 1 1%3.
Or
Pitch control position Full range ±3% unless higher uniquely required 1 1%3.
Engine Power, Each Engine
Fan or N1 speed or EPR or cockpit indications used for aircraft certification Maximum range ±5% 1 1%3.
Or
Prop. speed and torque (sample once/sec as close together as practicable) 1 (prop speed), 1 (torque)
Altitude rate2 (need depends on altitude resolution) ±8,000 fpm ±10%. Resolution 250 fpm below 12,000 ft. indicated 1 250 fpm Below 12,000
Angle of attack2 (need depends on altitude resolution) −20° to 40° or of usable range ±2° 1 0.8%3
Radio transmitter keying (discrete) On/off 1
TE flaps (discrete or analog) Each discrete position (U, D, T/O, AAP) 1
    Or
    Analog 0-100% range ±3° 1 1%3
LE flaps (discrete or analog) Each discrete position (U, D, T/O, AAP) 1
    Or
    Analog 0-100% range ±3° 1 1%3.
Thrust reverser, each engine (Discrete) Stowed or full reverse 1
Spoiler/speedbrake (discrete) Stowed or out 1
Autopilot engaged (discrete) Engaged or disengaged 1

1When data sources are aircraft instruments (except altimeters) of acceptable quality to fly the aircraft the recording system excluding these sensors (but including all other characteristics of the recording system) shall contribute no more than half of the values in this column.

2If data from the altitude encoding altimeter (100 ft. resolution) is used, then either one of these parameters should also be recorded. If however, altitude is recorded at a minimum resolution of 25 feet, then these two parameters can be omitted.

3Per cent of full range.

4This column applies to aircraft manufacturing after October 11, 1991.

[Doc. No. 25530, 53 FR 26152, July 11, 1988; 53 FR 30906, Aug. 16, 1988, as amended by Amdt. 135-69, 62 FR 38397, July 17, 1997]


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