Cockpit Voice Recorders Must Retain 25 Hours of Data: FAA Rule

Jan. 30, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC

New aircraft must have a cockpit voice recorder that can retain 25 hours of information under a final rule from US aviation regulators intended to improve safety and help investigators determine causes of accidents.

The regulation, published by the US Federal Aviation Administration Friday, implements a requirement mandated by Congress in 2024 and increases the required recording time from the previous two hours.

Commercial aircraft capable of carrying 30 or more passengers and manufactured on or after May 16, 2025 must be equipped with the new recorders.

Cockpit voice recorders capture information that includes pilot conversations and engine noises ...

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