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:

AAC 3 of 2004

04th October, 2004

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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AAC 3 of 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

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

076)

-do-

Overhaul life
6000 flight hours

-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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AAC 3 of 2004

5. Requirements.
I. SCHEDULED OPERATORS
(i)

Tape based recorders

CVR monitoring frequency

(ii)

-30 days

Solid State recorders

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

(ii)

-30 days

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