What is the purpose of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR)?

The purpose of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) is to record flight parameters for analysis and investigation. The FDR captures critical information about the aircraft’s performance, systems state, and flight path over a series of flights. This data is essential for understanding what occurred during an event, such as an incident or accident, and can assist investigators in determining the causes of unusual occurrences.

The data recorded by the FDR includes various parameters, such as altitude, speed, heading, and control inputs, which are crucial for reconstructing flight sequences and analyzing the flight’s operational performance. In the event of an accident, this information can provide valuable insights and help improve safety measures across the aviation industry.

While the other options present functions relevant to flight operations, they do not accurately reflect the primary function of the FDR. Real-time display of flight parameters is typically managed by the aircraft's instruments and avionics systems, not the FDR. Similarly, the FDR is not designed to serve as a navigation tool or monitor fuel consumption, although these factors are crucial to flight operations. The focus of the FDR is specifically on recording data for post-flight analysis rather than active flight management or navigation assistance.