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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

AC 20-186A - Airworthiness and Operational Approval of Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems

Document Information

Number
20-186A
Title
Airworthiness and Operational Approval of Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems
Status
Active
Date issued
2024-05-06
Office of Primary Responsibility
AFS-300
Description

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for gaining airworthiness approval for cockpit voice recorder (CVR) systems. Specifically, when followed in its entirety, it provides an acceptable means for complying with the airworthiness regulations contained in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 23, 25, 27, 29, 91, 121, 125, 129, and 135 when installing CVR systems in airplanes and rotorcraft. As CVR systems and technology advance, applicants are encouraged to propose alternative methods to their responsible Aircraft Certification Service office to integrate new and novel safety enhancing CVR systems and functions into their aircraft. The responsible Aircraft Certification Service office will evaluate alternative methods consistent with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) safety continuum. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation.

Content
Cancels
Cancels
Number Title Date
20-186 Airworthiness Operational Approval of Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for compliance with applicable regulations for the airworthiness and operational approval for required cockpit voice recorder (CVR) systems. Non-required installations may use this guidance when installing a CVR system as a voluntary safety enhancement. This AC is not mandatory and is not a regulation. This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to comply with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). However, if you use the means described in this AC, you must conform to it in totality for requiredinstallations.

 2016-07-21