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FAA Sets New Cockpit Voice Recorder Standard

Final rule outlines phased compliance tied to operating rules, passenger seats, and takeoff weight.

cockpit voice recorder
A cockpit voice recorder [Credit: National Park Service]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

The FAA published a finalized rule Monday that extends required cockpit voice recorder retention from two hours to 25 hours. This new requirement will apply to newly manufactured aircraft already subject to CVR equipage requirements. 

The rule, first proposed in 2023, is intended to preserve additional flight deck audio for incident and accident investigations and aligns U.S. requirements more closely with existing international standards, the final rule said.

Matt Ryan

Matt's eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor and aviation writer, Matt also leads and teaches a high school aviation program in the Dallas area. Beyond his lifelong obsession with aviation, Matt loves to travel and has lived in Greece, Czechia and Germany for studies and for work.

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