As Duncan Aviation's customers know, Flight Data Recorders and Cockpit Voice Recorders (FDRs and CVRs) are critical tools for flight safety, producing reams of data regarding aircraft systems. The data gathered and recorded is used in FOQA (Flight Operations Quality Assurance) applications and can help identify areas where troubleshooting a system is necessary to ensure it's not supplying inaccurate data. FOQA uses flight data to identify trends and risks, helping operators improve safety, efficiency, and overall performance. Another well-known function of FDRs and CVRs is as an aid to investigators after an incident.

Due to obsolescence issues with the factory-installed FDR in the Hawker 750, 800XP, 850XP, and 900XP aircraft, we are encouraging owner/operators to install the BendixKing Aerocorder FDR/CVR. This upgrade will give new life to your aircraft, enhance safety and make it more valuable on the worldwide market.

Many of those models of Hawker aircraft fly not just in the United States, but all over the world. Since 2021, however, the main system components of factory installed FDR covered by the original Supplemental Type Certificate (STC10001SC-D) have become obsolete. The Digital Flight Data Recorder, Flight Data Acquisition Unit, Linear Potentiometers, and the Accelerometers are no longer available for purchase or repair, and there is no longer a method of support for any of these critical FDR components.

The concern is that due to regulatory requirements in other countries, particularly Mexico, Hawker aircraft with the original FDR risk being grounded for extended periods of time when any of those components fail.

Therefore, Duncan Aviation is proactively working to mitigate these obsolescence issues with a new STC for the FDR/CVR for Hawker models 750/800XP/850XP/900XP that come from the factory with the Collins Proline 21 avionics. Duncan Aviation is working with an outside engineering firm on a new STC and a completely new engineering data package so our customers can replace the obsolete FDR system. In order to achieve the full functionality of the new FDR, which will integrate with the existing Hawker flight deck components, customers will be required to upgrade their Pro Line 21 flight deck with the Modernization Package.

We are currently seeking a launch customer for this project.

"If you own a Hawker aircraft that is registered in the United States, we would love to discuss opportunities with you that will be available for our launch customer for this new STC," says Duncan Aviation Manager of Satellite Operations Matt Nelson. "The upgrade to the Collins Aerospace Proline 21 Modernization Package for the flight deck avionics systems is necessary in order to provide a new Cockpit Voice Flight Data Recorder (CVFDR) with all of the system parameters required to fly in and outside of the United States. Making sure your FDR and CVR meet regulatory requirements will safeguard you, your passengers, and your aircraft and give you greater operational flexibility."