Crash-sensing components designed to preserve critical flight data
Select Controls manufactures precision cockpit voice and data recorder crash sensors engineered for aircraft recorder systems that must preserve critical flight data during catastrophic events. These high-reliability sensors detect severe acceleration forces and shut off the cockpit recorder so the system's looping memory does not overwrite the final recorded data.
A properly calibrated flight recorder G-switch or high-G aircraft crash switch enables dependable crash detection within safety-critical recorder electronics. This detection logic ensures that the final moments of cockpit voice and flight data remain available for post-incident analysis.
Our crash survivable sensing electronics deliver calibrated G-threshold response, repeatable switching performance, and dependable operation across demanding aerospace environments. These components support recorder system architectures aligned with EUROCAE ED-112 recorder crash sensor guidance and are used in systems that incorporate hardened data storage technologies such as crash survivable memory units (CSMU).
Select Controls supports aerospace engineers with rapid prototyping, dependable production schedules, and responsive engineering support for mission-critical aircraft sensing applications.
About This Model
A cockpit voice recorder crash sensor provides high-G impact detection within cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) systems. When catastrophic acceleration forces occur, the sensor detects the impact and shuts off the cockpit recorder so the system's continuous recording loop does not overwrite the final captured cockpit audio and flight data.
Aircraft recorder systems commonly incorporate several types of crash detection devices depending on the recorder architecture.
Typical devices include:
CVR impact detection modules used in cockpit voice recorder systems
FDR event detection sensors used within flight data recorder electronics
High shock event switches designed to detect severe acceleration events
Crash survivable memory unit (CSMU) impact sensors used in systems with hardened data storage modules
Together, these components form part of the aircraft's flight data recorder crash detection architecture, ensuring that recorded flight information remains available following a severe aircraft accident.
Recorder Crash-Sensing Models
Aircraft recorder systems require reliable sensors that respond immediately to extreme acceleration events. Select Controls provides a range of crash-sensing components designed for integration with cockpit voice and flight data recorder electronics.
Aircraft Crash Detection G-Switches
Precision high G aircraft crash switches designed to detect catastrophic acceleration events and shut off cockpit recorders to prevent overwriting critical flight information.
CVR Impact Detection Modules
Compact sensing modules designed for cockpit voice recorder systems that require reliable crash detection within safety-critical electronics architectures.
FDR Event Detection Sensors
Impact detection sensors used within flight data recorder systems to identify high-shock crash events and preserve recorded flight data.
Crash Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU) Impact Sensors
Sensors used in recorder architectures that incorporate crash survivable memory units. These devices provide dependable impact detection signals that support system-level data preservation.
Environmental-Qualified Crash Sensors
Crash-sensing electronics engineered to maintain consistent switching performance across severe aircraft environmental conditions, including vibration, temperature extremes, and mechanical shock.
Miniature High-Shock Event Switches
Compact sensors designed for aircraft platforms where installation space is limited but dependable crash detection remains essential.
Select Controls supports both standard and custom crash sensor designs with rapid prototyping and responsive engineering support.
Contact Select Controls today for a quick quote or to discuss your cockpit voice recorder crash sensor requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cockpit voice recorder crash sensor is a high-shock detection device used in aircraft recorder systems. When a catastrophic acceleration event occurs, the sensor detects the impact and shuts off the cockpit recorder so the system's looping memory does not overwrite the final recorded cockpit audio.
A flight recorder G-switch senses extreme acceleration forces associated with a crash event. When the calibrated threshold is exceeded, the switch changes state and shuts off the recorder, preserving the most recent cockpit voice and flight data.
A CVR impact detection module is a crash-sensing device used in cockpit voice recorder electronics. These sensors detect severe acceleration events and provide the switching signal used to shut off the recorder during a catastrophic aircraft event.
In recorder systems that incorporate a crash survivable memory unit (CSMU), the crash sensor detects high-shock events and supports the recorder system's logic used to preserve stored flight data during a crash.
Recorder systems aligned with EUROCAE ED-112 must maintain reliable operation under severe crash conditions. Sensors used in these systems are engineered to operate reliably across high shock loads, vibration environments, and temperature extremes. Environmental testing often follows procedures defined in MIL-STD-810.
In some aircraft architectures, high-shock event switches used for recorder crash detection may also provide signals used by additional safety systems, such as aircraft egress lighting systems that illuminate cabin floor escape paths following a catastrophic event.
Proven, Audited, Ready to Ship
Engineers rely on Select Controls for mission-critical sensing components supported by decades of aerospace manufacturing experience and an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system.
Each cockpit voice recorder crash sensor undergoes rigorous verification to ensure dependable switching performance in high-shock aircraft environments. Our manufacturing processes maintain full traceability from raw materials through final testing, supporting consistent quality and reliable performance for aerospace programs.
Contact Select Controls to request technical specifications, discuss custom crash detection solutions, or obtain a quotation for your aircraft recorder application.
Custom Engineering
Rapid Prototyping.
Precise to Your Spec.
With over 40 years of engineering depth, we customize every parameter to match your mission profile and event envelope.
- 100% testing on all manufactured switches
- Custom activation levels and specifications
- High-volume production capabilities
- Rapid prototyping and turnaround
Next Steps
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