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This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
The Flight Data Recorder is a crash-survivable device installed in commercial aircraft that continuously records a broad set of flight parameters throughout every flight. Modern FDRs capture over 1,000 parameters including airspeed, altitude, heading, vertical acceleration, control surface positions, engine data, autopilot status, landing gear position, flap settings, and dozens of other values - typically at sampling rates ranging from once per second to eight times per second depending on the parameter. FDRs are required by aviation regulators worldwide and must be capable of surviving impacts, fire, and deep-water immersion. The FDR is housed in a bright orange, highly durable enclosure - despite being called a “black box” - located in the tail of the aircraft where it is more likely to survive a severe accident. Along with the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), the FDR is a primary tool for accident investigation. Data retrieved from the FDR allows investigators to reconstruct the precise sequence of events leading up to an incident or accident. Airlines also use FDR data proactively through FOQA (Flight Operations Quality Assurance) programs to identify patterns and improve safety before an accident occurs.

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In Virtual Airline Operations

While virtual aircraft do not carry physical FDRs, flight simulation software and ACARS systems record analogous flight data. Pegasus ACARS at Virtual Air Canada Airline captures flight parameters such as departure and arrival airports, route, fuel burn, flight time, and landing rate - data that serves a similar function to real-world FDR analysis for evaluating and improving virtual pilot performance.
  • FOQA - Flight Operations Quality Assurance
  • ACARS - Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
  • ECAM - Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor