Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division was granted European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its Fortress family of flight data recorders (FDRs). This family of “black boxes” includes cockpit data recorders (CDRs), datalink recorders (DLRs), airborne image recorders (AIRs), and FDRs that surpass minimum EASA 2021 requirements of 25 h recording time. In addition, these FDRs feature a modular architecture that can be readily adapted to changing performance and applications requirements.
The Fortress FDRs are the first such recorders to meet the requirements of EUROCAE ED-112A, allowing aircraft data to be used for more efficient operations. EASA certifications include ETSO-C123c, ETSO-C124c, ETSO-C176a and ETSO-C177a.
“We are excited to announce that our Fortress family of recorders, the most advanced lightweight and functional flight recorder available today, has been granted ETSO approval,” said Lynn Bamford, senior vice president and general manager, Defense Solutions div. “We are the first supplier to meet flight recorder extended operational requirements and increased crash survivability test requirements included in ED-112A, furthering our commitment to helping aircraft meet the latest regulations while using the best technology to add more functionality in less space and cost for new and older aircraft.”
