FAA Finalizes 25-Hour Cockpit Recorder Rule for Airlines

New Aviation Safety Standard

The Federal Aviation Administration FAA has finalized a regulation extending the data retention of cockpit voice recorders to 25 hours, a significant increase from the current two-hour requirement. The rule applies to all new passenger aircraft manufactured from 2027.

Regulatory Background and Timeline

This decision aligns the United States with international standards and follows years of advocacy from the National Transportation Safety Board NTSB, which first recommended the change in 2018. The new rule takes effect immediately, with phased compliance for smaller aircraft. Congress has mandated all existing passenger planes be retrofitted by 2030.

Industry and Economic Implications

Airlines and aircraft manufacturers will face costs for upgrading and retrofitting fleets to meet the new standards. This mandate is expected to drive investment in aviation technology and may slightly increase operational expenses. The long-term goal is enhanced aviation safety which can bolster passenger confidence and industry stability.

Summary and Outlook

The aviation industry must now prepare for the phased implementation of this safety mandate. The focus will be on equipment procurement and logistics to meet the 2027 and 2030 deadlines. This rule represents a major step forward in aircraft incident investigation capabilities, potentially reducing risks in the long run.

FAQ

Q: What is the new FAA rule for cockpit voice recorders?
A: The FAA now requires cockpit voice recorders to store 25 hours of data, up from two hours, for new aircraft starting in 2027.

Q: When must existing airplanes be updated?
A: All existing passenger airplanes must be retrofitted with 25-hour recorders by the year 2030.

Source: Investing.com