What is an FDR and why is it significant in aviation?

A Flight Data Recorder (FDR) is significant in aviation primarily because it records critical flight information that is essential for accident investigations. The FDR captures data such as altitude, airspeed, heading, and various system statuses during a flight. This information is invaluable for safety investigations, enabling experts to analyze the circumstances leading up to an incident or accident, identify potential mechanical failures, and assess human factors involved. By reviewing the data stored in an FDR, investigators can piece together the events of a flight, significantly contributing to the overall safety of aviation and prompting changes to regulations or procedures to prevent future occurrences.

Other choices may suggest different functionalities of an FDR, but they do not encompass the primary purpose and importance of the FDR in facilitating a thorough understanding of flight incidents through data analysis.