Quatech's MPAP-200/300 RS-422/485 synchronous serial PCMCIA card is currently being used to interface with the flight recorders found in a wide variety of military and commercial aircraft. The flight recorder, commonly known as the "little black box" responsible for recording what went wrong during a tragic flight, is also responsible for recording maintenance, structural, and engine data. Maintenance personnel at the aircraft base download this data directly after each flight. Immediate maintenance can then be performed on the aircraft, reducing downtime and saving money for the aircraft fleets.