Updated June 8, 2011
On March 7, 2008, the FAA published its final rule for modifications to cockpit voice recorders (CVR) and flight data recorders (FDR). The final rule requires modifications to CVR and FDR recording time, power supplies, sampling rates and installation locations. Due largely in part to objections raised by NBAA, the FAA will not require CVR retrofits that incorporate a two-hour recording capability and an independent power supply, for aircraft currently in operation under FAR Parts 91 and 135. Aircraft operators must address other aspects of the final rule by April 7, 2012.
The FAA later issued a final rule in July 2009 which provided technical corrections to the previously published final rule. It was issued to correct a change which would have required an immediate retrofit of existing aircraft cockpit voice recorders when the FAA’s intent was for this requirement to apply only to newly manufactured aircraft.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.