US to require planes to keep 25 hours of cockpit voice recordings under FAA rule - WTVB
FAA proposes requiring 25 hours of cockpit voice recordings, up from the current 2 hours, for certain aircraft.
Aforeworn detected this change in the Aviation Maintenance & Airworthiness (FAA) space on August 13, 2026 and published this briefing so affected operators are forewarned rather than caught off guard. It is rated Medium urgency. Part 121 and Part 135 operators, and potentially Part 125 and Part 91 subpart K operators, with aircraft equipped with cockpit voice recorders. should confirm how it applies to their specific situation before acting. There is a time constraint attached: Not specified in the excerpt; check the FAA rulemaking docket for comment period and effective date.. Acting after that point can mean penalties, a lapsed licence, or lost eligibility — exactly the kind of surprise Aforeworn exists to prevent. Aforeworn monitors Aviation Maintenance & Airworthiness (FAA) continuously and turns every detected change into a plain-English briefing like this one, so you always know first. Forewarned is forearmed.
What changed
The FAA is proposing to increase the required retention time for cockpit voice recordings from 2 hours to 25 hours.
Who it affects
Part 121 and Part 135 operators, and potentially Part 125 and Part 91 subpart K operators, with aircraft equipped with cockpit voice recorders.
What you must do
Review the proposed rule and prepare for potential compliance by ensuring recording systems can store 25 hours of audio and updating retention procedures.
Deadline
Not specified in the excerpt; check the FAA rulemaking docket for comment period and effective date.
Never miss a change like this again
Aforeworn watches Aviation Maintenance & Airworthiness (FAA) around the clock and alerts you the moment a rule moves — with a plain-English brief on what to do.
Start your free trialRelated changes in Aviation Maintenance & Airworthiness (FAA)
- Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Airplanes
- Airworthiness Directives: ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Regional Airplanes
- Airworthiness Directives: Air Tractor, Inc. Airplanes
- FAA rule means more aviation entities required to have a safety management system - Safety+Health Magazine
- Airworthiness Directives: Pratt and Whitney Canada Corp. Engines