Fitting a Flight Recorder

 

...

The GyroFX Flight Recorder is a self- contained, “passive” device. There are no intended transmission signals from the device (although there may be some residual electrical noise.) It uses its own battery power supply and thus needs no connection to the aircraft electrical system.

The Flight Recorder uses various sensors to record the flight data. Information is obtained from the GPS satellite system; on-board accelerometers; barometric pressure; and magnetometer sensors.

The GPS system is a critical part of the system and requires a clear view of the sky to obtain a good signal. Both metal and carbon fibre can block the weak signals from the GPS satellites. Normally the GPS signals can be detected through fibreglass. (One of our installations has a BASIC flight recorder installed within the wing compartment of an ASK21 glider and it still performs well.)

The GyroFX Flight Recorder can be supplied with an Internal GPS module, or a Cabled GPS Module. The simplest installation is to use the Internal GPS module, which requires no wiring. The Cabled GPS module (supplied with a 4mm diameter flexible cable) is used when the Flight Recorder can only be mounted in a position where the GPS signal would be blocked by the aircraft structure.

Another consideration is vibration, which if excessive can affect the performance of the sensors. It is recommended that the flight recorder is firmly attached to a solid surface in the aircraft.

The Flight Recorder should be mounted with THE AIRCRAFT ON THE TOP POINTING FORWARDS. If mounted on top of the instrument panel, the battery compartment will be facing the pilot.

The GyroFX Flight Recorder is supplied with an attachment fitting of the same dimensions as two pronged male GoPro fittings (often used to attach action cameras to a helmet.) There are a multitude of other fittings, extenders and swivels available at low cost which could be used to mount the flight recorder in awkward positions.

One common method uses the provided self-adhesive clip mount, which has a swivel to position the flight recorder at the optimum pitch, while allowing it to be easily removed from the aircraft when required.

Another common method is to use self-adhesive vecro to stick the flight recorder and/or cabled GPS module directly to a surface. The flight controller weighs only 300 grams, so this is a very secure method.

Whatever method is used to fix the flight recorder into position, it would be prudent to have a safety lanyard attached to the flight recorder in case the fitting fails.

It is advisable to have a swivel as part of the fitting which will allow the pitch angle of the flight controller to be adjusted, especially on tail wheel aircraft.