Regulatory Update: Expanded Recording Duration for Large US-Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated that most newly manufactured large aircraft in the United States be equipped with cockpit voice recorders capable of storing at least 25 hours of audio. The rule applies to aircraft manufactured after May 16, 2025, and covers a range of business jets and larger turbine aircraft. According to AeroTime, the FAA said the expanded recording duration will give investigators more complete data following accidents and serious incidents. The agency also noted that the change aligns US requirements more closely with international standards. In issuing the rule, the FAA cited lessons learned from several high-profile accidents in recent years, where limited CVR data complicated investigations. For business aviation, the rule primarily affects new-delivery aircraft rather than those already in service.