AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 9413710811 Facsimile: 9413775591

L3 COMMUNICATIONS, AVIATION RECORDERS

FIELD SERVICE BULLETIN / SERVICE INFORMATION LETTER
EXPORT CONTROL STATEMENT

WARNING: THIS TECHNICAL DATA IS CONTROLLED UNDER THE EXPORT

ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR) ECCN 7E994, AND MAY NOT BE EXPORTED TO A
FOREIGN PERSON, EITHER IN THE U.S. OR ABROAD, WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION
FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS L-3 AVIATION RECORDERS

PRIVILEGED INFORMATION AND MUST NOT, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT
OF L-3 AVIATION RECORDERS, BE USED OR REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OR
COMMUNICATED TO ANY PERSON EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY L-3 AVIATION
RECORDERS.

CVR / FDR SERVICE BULLETIN

CVR / FDR SERVICE INFORMATION
TRANSMISSION COVER LETTER
REV. 02
JUNE 16, 2015

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34243

Telephone: 9413710811 Facsimile: 9413775585

Date:

June 16, 2015

To:

ALL USERS OF THE FAIRCHILD MODEL FA2100 Cockpit Voice

Recorder

Subject:

Field Service Bulletin, FA2100CVR SB022, Revision 02

THIS TRANSMITS REVISION 02 TO
FIELD SERVICE BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022

The footer on each page has been updated to include a reference back to the Transmission
Cover Letter.
The attached Revision 2 to Field Service Bulletin No. FA2100CVR SB022, dated June 16, 2015
is an update to Service Bulletin SB022, Revision 1, dated April 8, 2015.
Previous Changes from Initial Issue to Revision 1:
Section I.A, page 1 of 8, of Field Service Bulletin No. FA2100CVR SB022 dated March
16, 2015 has been revised. The effective part numbers of those Model FA2100CVRs
that may apply the 90-Day Beacon Modification #15 has been clarified.
Section I.C. & I.D revised TSO C142 to TSO C142a and added TSO C142a to Section
I.K.

L3 Communications
Aviation Recorders

Mike Phillips
Manager, L3AR Customer Support
Issue Date:
Rev. 01 Date:
Transmittal Ltr Rev.
Transmittal Ltr Rev.
Rev. 02 Date:

March 16, 2015

April 08, 2015
May 01, 2015 (minor corrections to SB page numbers)
June 01, 2015 (minor corrections to SB page numbers)
June 16, 2015

AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
MODEL FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
MODDOT 15: INTRODUCTION OF L3AR 90DAY UNDERWATER LOCATOR BEACON
Date: June 16, 2015
I.

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R2

PLANNING INFORMATION
A.

Effectivity
L3 Aviation Recorders, Fairchild Model FA2100 Cockpit Voice Recorders, Part Numbers:
2100101000, 2100102000, 2100102002, 2100102090, 2100102502,
2100102522, 2100102602, and 2100102702.

B.

Note:

For operators of Bombardier Global 5000/6000 aircraft with PN: 2100102524

installed, the aircraft manufacturer requires that these units be returned to the
factory to be modified to PN 2100122524 for implementation of the 90Day
ULB.

Note:

For Bombardier Challenger Series users of PN 2100102000 or PN:

2100102522, the aircraft manufacturer is allowing their users the option of
modifying these units to PN 2100122000 and PN 2100122522, respectively,
per the Bombardier Illustrated Parts Catalogue (IPC) or to use their current part
number 2100102000 or 2100102522 with ModDot 15 applied per this SB.

Note:

All operators should verify with their Aircraft OEMs that the part numbers of the
FA2100CVRs are compliant with their A/C IPLs.

Concurrent Requirements
Not applicable.

C.

Reason
Originally, effective March 1, 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration was withdrawing TSO
authorization that lets the holder identify or mark underwater locating devices with
TSOC121 or TSOC121a. As of February 28, 2015 the FAA has extended this deadline to
December 1, 2015. This action will discontinue the production of TSOapproved Underwater
Locator Beacons that feature 30 days of operation.
L3 Aviation Recorders will continue its plan to transition to the L3AR 90Day Underwater
Locator Beacon, herein after referred to as the Beacon, in compliance with
TSOC121b/C142a. L3 Aviation Recorders expects the new Beacon devices to be
available for delivery with the FA2100CVR beginning March 1, 2015. There are no plans for
L3AR to purchase 30Day Beacons during the extension period and will use its existing
stock of 30Day Beacons on a first come first served basis.
Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to
the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
D.

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

Description
This Service Bulletin announces the cut-in of the 90Day Beacon to newly manufactured
FA2100CVRs, and introduces the 90-Day Beacon Conversion Kit, available to retrofit existing
FA2100CVRs.
This Service Bulletin provides instructions for modifying all applicable recorders to remove
the existing 30-day Beacon and replace it with the new TSO-C121b/C142a 90-Day Beacon.
Upon completion, the unit will be acceptance tested and the appropriate Mod Dot will be
marked.

E.

Compliance
This is a recommended modification that should be incorporated at the operators earliest
convenience. This modification introduces the L3AR 90Day Beacon, and is identified as
MOD DOT 15 for the 90Day Beacon Conversion Kit.
To ensure compliance with applicable FAA TSO / Modification marking requirements, once a
90Day Beacon is installed on the recorder, it cannot be replaced with a 30Day Beacon.
By incorporating this Service Bulletin with the approved listed parts, only then can the
associated Mod Dot be marked. Utilizing parts that are not identified in this Service Bulletin
will not be considered valid for compliance.
Units received in an Authorized Repair Center with non-compliant parts will be handled in
accordance with FAA guidelines.

F.

Approval
This Service Bulletin contains no modification information that revises the approved
configuration and therefore does not require governmental or other regulatory agency
approval. Operators are not required to apply for modification approval for this change as it
does not affect the form, fit, or function of the top level LRU, nor the FA2100CVR TSO.

G.

Manpower
0.5 hours.

H.

Weight and Balance

Not affected.

I.

Electrical Load Data

Not changed.

J.

Software Accomplishment Summary

Not applicable.
Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to
the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
K.

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

Reference
L3AR Engineering Change No. 016254
FAA TSOC121b & TSOC142a
EUROCAE ED112A

L.

Other Publications Affected

Model FA2100 Cockpit Voice Recorder Component Maintenance Manual, (ATA No.
237004) P/N 165E168900, Section 300 & 700 and the IPL, Section 1000.
Model FA2100 Cockpit Voice Recorder Installation & Operation Manual, P/N 165E184600.
Model FA2100 General Aviation Cockpit Voice Recorder Installation & Operation Manual,
P/N 165E184800.

II.

MATERIAL INFORMATION

CAUTION:

The 90-Day Underwater Locator Beacon is considered Hazardous Material Class 9

and classified as a UN 3091 Lithium metal battery contained in equipment for
shipping purposes. All applicable Department of Transportation (DOT), International
Air Transport Association (IATA), or International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)
regulations must be followed. It is the responsibility of the party purchasing,
handling, receiving or transporting the 90-Day Underwater Locator Beacon to
understand and follow all the applicable, state, international, and carrier laws, rules
or regulations. Failure to comply with these laws, rules or regulations could lead to
possible fines.

Table 1. Materials Cost and Availability for 90Day Beacon Kit

Keyword

Quantity

Part Number

Price U.S.D.

Delivery

L3AR 90Day Beacon Conversion

Kit, MOD DOT 15
Consists of:
1. L3AR 90Day Underwater
Locator Beacon
2. Four HexCap Screws
3. Four #8 Flat Head Countersunk
Screws *
4. Four #8 Lock Washers *

068E554200

See Note

30 Days

* Items 3 and 4 are not used for the FA2100 series of recorders and can be discarded.

Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to

the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

Test Equipment
L3 recommends the L3AR beacon test set to test Beacons after installation.

Table 2. Recommended Test Equipment

Keyword

Quantity

Part Number

Price U.S.D.

Delivery

L3AR Beacon Test Set

17TES0015

See Note

30 Days

NOTE:

For pricing and contact information, see below.

Order Administration: DLARaviationsales@l3com.com
Main Phone: 19413710811, ask for Inside Sales

An alternate test set may be used to test Beacons after installation. A 10Mohm high impedance
voltmeter is required when using the test equipment below, but it is not included in the test set.

Table 3. Acceptable Alternate Test Equipment

Keyword

Quantity

Part Number

Price U.S.D.

Delivery

Dukane Beacon Test Set

42A12( )

Discontinued

N/A

10 Mohm High Impedance Voltmeter

Model B88
HP Allegiant
or equivalent

L3AR does
not sell

N/A

III. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS

This Service Bulletin can be accomplished in the field by L-3AR Product Support Engineers,
as well as Operators and Authorized Repair Facilities that have received the necessary test
equipment.

A.

Modification Instructions
The following procedures provide instruction for the removal of the 30Day Beacon and
installation of the L3AR 90Day Beacon. Figure 1 shows the new L3AR 90Day Beacon
labeling and its identifications.

Top View

Front View

Figure 1. New 90-Day Underwater Locator Beacon Labels

Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to
the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
B.

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

30Day Beacon Removal Procedure

Table 4. 30Day Beacon Removal Procedure
PROCEDURE

1) Remove both 1/420 hexcap screws on the left Beacon Mount Bracket using a 3/16 Allen
2)
3)
4)
5)

hexwrench and set the bracket aside.

Loosen the lower screw on the right Beacon Mount Bracket.
Pull the Beacon from the loosened Bracket.
Remove both screws from the right Beacon Mount Bracket and set the bracket aside.
Discard the four hexcap screws that were removed.

Crash-Survivable
Memory Unit
(CSMU)

Right Beacon
Mount Bracket

Water Switch

Left Beacon
Mount Bracket

1/420, Hex-Cap Screws

30Day Underwater
Locator Beacon

Figure 2. 30-Day Underwater Locator Beacon Removal

C.

L3AR 90Day Beacon Installation Procedure

The 90Day Beacon is mounted on the front of the Model FA2100 CSMU assembly with the
beacons water switch facing to the left. The expected battery life of this Beacon is the same as
the replacement date on the Beacon.
Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to
the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

Table 5. 90Day Beacon Installation Procedure

PROCEDURE
1) Open the kit and ensure that all the parts are included:

90Day Beacon
Four 1/420 hexcap screws
Note: The #8 flat head countersunk screws (4) and #8 lock washers (4) are not used for the
FA2100CVR series of recorders and may be discarded.
2) Insert the 90Day Beacon into the right and left Beacon Mount Brackets with the Beacon water
switch facing left and the replacement date label visible to the front.
Important: The Beacon will only fit one way the gap in the bracket must face up on the left side
of the Beacon, and down on the right side.
3) Apply thread-locking adhesive to the four screws.
4) Attach the Beacon and Beacon Mount Brackets with four screws as shown in Figure 3. Tighten
securely to the CSMU. Torque mounting bolts in a crosspattern as shown in Figure 3 to 75
inlbs.

90Day Underwater
Locator Beacon
Right Beacon
Mount Bracket

CrashSurvivable
Memory Unit
(CSMU)

Water Switch
2

Left Beacon
Mount Bracket

3
4

1/420, Hex-Cap Screws

1

Cross-Pattern
Torquing Sequence
(75 in-lbs)

Figure 3. 90-Day Underwater Locator Beacon Installation

Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to
the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
D.

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

L3AR 90Day Underwater Locator Beacon Testing Procedure

Recommended Method to Test the 90Day Underwater Locator Beacon

The 17TES0015 is a battery operated heterodyne type receiver that operates at an ultrasonic
frequency of 37.5 kHz. The test set is a self-contained, hand held functional tester for testing
90Day and 30Day Underwater Locator Beacons. Use the internal microphone and loudspeaker to perform an operational test on a beacon without removing it from the recorders
CSMU Mount. The test set can also be used to perform a voltage measurement for testing the
replacement battery within a Beacon.

Table 6. Underwater Locator Beacon Test Using L3AR Test Set P/N: 17TES0015
PROCEDURE
This test should be performed after the 90Day Beacon is installed. It verifies the proper
operation of the Beacon after mounting on the CSMU.
1) Turn the test set ON using the small slide switch located on the left side of the housing.
2) If the display reads LB, the test set battery voltage has fallen below the level required for

operation, and the 9Volt battery should be replaced.

3) To test the Beacon battery voltage, attach the test probe clip to the Beacon case. The clip has a

spring action that will allow it to slip over the housing on the Beacon. Ensure that the exposed
metal on the Beacon is resting in the metal cradle to make the best connection.

4) Place the tip of the probe in contact with the metal pad at the center of the water switch.
5) Read the battery voltage from the test set display. If the battery voltage is at or above 2.97 volts,

the battery is operable. If the battery voltage is below 2.97 volts, remove the Beacon from service.

6) To perform an operational test of the Beacon, place the probes on the Beacon as described

above, then press and hold the red button on the test set (the display will be blank during this
operation).

7) If the Beacon is operating properly, a pinging sound will be audible from the test set speakers. If

hearing is difficult due to background noise, repeat the test in a quieter area.

8) Turn off the test set, and remove the Beacon from the test probe clip.
9) If required, record the Beacons serial number and expiration date on the appropriate recorder

data record.

Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to

the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

Alternate Method to Test the 90Day Underwater Locator Beacon

Note that using this method requires the use of a 10Mohm impedance voltmeter that is not included in the test set.

Table 7. Underwater Locator Beacon Test Using Test Set P/N: 42A12( )
and 10 Mohm High Impedance Voltmeter
PROCEDURE
This test should be performed after the 90Day Beacon is installed. It verifies the proper
operation of the Underwater Locator Beacon after mounting on the CSMU.
1) To test the Beacon battery voltage, place the negative lead of the high impedance voltmeter on

the metal pad at the center of the water switch and the positive lead on the Beacon case.
2) Measure the battery voltage. If the battery voltage is at or above 2.97 volts, the battery is
operable. If the battery voltage is below 2.97 volts, remove the Beacon from service.

3) To perform an operational test of the Beacon, turn on the test set by rotating the front panel GAIN

control clockwise until it clicks.

4) On the front panel of the test set, set the INT.-EXT. switch to INT.
5) Rotate TUNING control to a setting between 35 and 40 kHz.
6) Use a metal braid, or other flexible metal conductor, to temporarily short the metal pad at the

center of the water switch to the Beacon case, and activate the unit.

7) Make sure that the test sets microphone and the Beacon are in close proximity of each other with

unobstructed, lineofsight between them. This will ensure that the test set will detect the proper
output of the Beacon.

8) If the Underwater Locator Beacon is functioning properly, it will emit inaudible, ultrasonic sound

waves that the test set will receive and reproduce as repetitive beeps through the test sets
speakers.
9) Remove the metal conductor to stop the short and turn off the test set.

10) If required, record the Beacons serial number and expiration date on the appropriate recorder

data record.

Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to

the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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AVIATION RECORDERS

100 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232

Telephone: 941-371-0811 Facsimile: 941-377-5591

SERVICE BULLETIN
FA2100 COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER

BULLETIN NO. FA2100CVR SB022 R02

IV. MODIFICATION INFORMATION

Incorporation of this Service Bulletin will be identified by marking MODDOT 15 in the
revision section of the recorders name plate with black paint.
L-3 Communications, Aviation Recorders

Mike Phillips
Customer Support Manager
SB Issue Date:

March 16, 2015

SB Rev. 01:

April 8, 2015

SB Rev. 02:

June 16, 2015

Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to

the restrictions on the cover page of this document.

237004022 R2
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