Solid State refers to the storage of data in semiconductor memories or integrated circuits. Older technology usually referred to as "tape" technology utilized electromechanical methods of data storage.

Solid State memory does not require scheduled maintenance or overhaul. Therefore, there are potential cost savings to operators and owners. Also data is easier to retrieve and is readily available to for monitoring the performance of the aircraft.

By definition, Frequency-Shift Keying or FSK is a form of frequency modulation in which the modulating signal shifts the output frequency between predetermined values. In relation to aircraft recorders, it is simply a data format that is utilized to input GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Some recorders are able to either handle GMT via low speed ARINC 429 input or FSK or both.

Southeast Aerospace exchanges are based on the return of an undamaged, economically repairable core unit with identical part number as the unit shipped to the customer. An "economically repairable" core is defined as one where the cost to repair/overhaul (or Repair Cap) does not exceed 80% of the original SV/OH exchange price billed. Should the Repair Cap exceed 80%, the customer will be billed the additional amount. In the event this amount exceeds the Outright Price for the unit, the customer would only be billed the difference between the Outright Price and SV/OH Exchange Price with the core returned as-is to the customer.

Here is an example of such a transaction:

$1000 Exchange Price charged to customer
$1000 x .8 = $800 Maximum Allowable core repair charge or Repair Cap

$2000 Cost to repair core unit
- $800 Less Core repair cap
---------
$1200 Additional billing amount.

2200.00 Total Cost of transaction

Please Note:
SEA offers exchange on new items as well. However, repair cap as indicated above is still based on SV/OH exchange price.

The Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) is usually the only part that requires any type of periodic maintenance for most Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and Flight Data Recorders (FDR). This maintenance includes cleaning and testing the ULB every 2 years and replacing the battery every 6 years. It should be noted that some aircraft maintenance programs may include testing and/or bench testing of CVRs or FDRs as part of the aircraft maintenance program.