Which component of the CVDR stops the recording function if it senses rapid acceleration or high G levels?

• A. Cockpit microphone
• B. Accelerometer
• C. Impact switch
• D. Other

Answer: (C)

The impact switch is a critical component of the Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder (CVDR) that serves a specific safety function. When the impact switch detects conditions such as rapid acceleration or high G levels, it activates a mechanism that stops the recording function. This action is crucial because it ensures that the sensitive data collected during those extreme conditions, which could include critical last moments of flight, is preserved without the risk of overwriting important information due to continued recording in scenarios where the aircraft is involved in a high-stress, potential crash situation.

The impact switch effectively acts as a safety buffer, allowing for the retrieval of key data that can be used for investigations following an incident. This ensures that when pilots and investigators analyze events leading up to emergencies, they have access to the most pertinent and relevant data available, which may be otherwise lost if the recording continued uninterrupted.