Quick access recorder
Encyclopedia
A quick access recorder is an airborne flight data recorder designed to provide quick and easy access to raw flight data, through means such as USB or cellular network
connections and/or the use of standard flash memory cards
. QARs are typically used by airlines to improve flight safety and operational efficiency, usually in the scope of an their flight operational quality assurance plans . Like the aircraft's flight data recorder
(FDR), a QAR receives its inputs from the Flight Data Acquisition Unit
(FDAU), recording over 2000 flight parameters. The QAR is also able to sample data at much higher rates than the FDR and, in some cases, for longer periods of time. Unlike the FDR, the QAR is not required on commercial flights and is not designed to survive an accident. Despite this, some QARs have survived accidents and provided valuable information that was recorded by the FDR.
Cellular network
A cellular network is a radio network distributed over land areas called cells, each served by at least one fixed-location transceiver known as a cell site or base station. When joined together these cells provide radio coverage over a wide geographic area...
connections and/or the use of standard flash memory cards
Memory card
A memory card or flash card is an electronic flash memory data storage device used for storing digital information. They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, MP3 players, and video game consoles...
. QARs are typically used by airlines to improve flight safety and operational efficiency, usually in the scope of an their flight operational quality assurance plans . Like the aircraft's flight data recorder
Flight data recorder
A flight data recorder is an electronic device employed to record any instructions sent to any electronic systems on an aircraft. It is a device used to record specific aircraft performance parameters...
(FDR), a QAR receives its inputs from the Flight Data Acquisition Unit
Flight-data acquisition unit
In aviation, a flight-data acquisition unit is a unit that receives various discrete, analog and digital parameters from a number of sensors and avionic systems and then routes them to a flight data recorder and, if installed, to a Quick Access Recorder...
(FDAU), recording over 2000 flight parameters. The QAR is also able to sample data at much higher rates than the FDR and, in some cases, for longer periods of time. Unlike the FDR, the QAR is not required on commercial flights and is not designed to survive an accident. Despite this, some QARs have survived accidents and provided valuable information that was recorded by the FDR.