FAA Proposes Extending Cockpit Data Capture for Enhanced Safety Investigations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has unveiled a proposal to extend the cockpit voice-recording requirement for all new airplanes. This extension will increase the recording duration from the current two-hour loop to an impressive 25 hours.

The initiative comes following a push from the National Transportation Safety Board, which has advocated for this change since 2018. The cockpit voice recorder plays a crucial role in capturing transmissions and various sounds within the cockpit, including pilot communications and engine noises.

Interestingly, Europe has already implemented a similar requirement, mandating new airplanes to accumulate 25 hours of cockpit voice recordings since 2021. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker noted that this change will significantly enhance their ability to gather data and pinpoint the causes of aviation incidents.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, finance.yahoo.com, reuters,com