What is the primary purpose of a flight data recorder (FDR)?

The primary purpose of a flight data recorder (FDR) is to record flight parameters for accident investigation. FDRs collect and store data on various aircraft systems and performance during flight, capturing critical information such as altitude, speed, heading, and other operational parameters. This data is essential for accident investigation as it helps safety officials and engineers analyze what happened during a flight, understand the circumstances leading to an incident, and improve future safety measures. The FDR ensures that vital information is preserved and can be retrieved after an accident, making it an indispensable tool for enhancing aviation safety.

While navigation assistance, real-time weather information, and fuel consumption monitoring are important aspects of flight operations, they do not encapsulate the primary function of the FDR, which is focused specifically on recording data that aids in the investigation of incidents and accidents.